to be in a precarious situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be in a precarious situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of being in a risky or unstable condition, often implying danger or uncertainty. Example: "After losing his job, he found himself to be in a precarious situation, struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Walmart is in a precarious situation whether it wants to admit or not.

Forbes

Hospitals are in a precarious situation.

The Guardian - Books

He's in a precarious situation; he enjoys, we imagine, no more than a limited welcome.

The New Yorker

Egypt is in a precarious situation: half a dozen people died in protests on the streets today.

The New Yorker

"We are in a precarious situation with the interest rates declining, and everybody being fearful of going backwards and decelerating".

The New York Times

"We are in a precarious situation," said Singapore's finance minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, chairman of the fund's steering committee.

The New York Times

Microsoft is in a precarious situation.

TechCrunch

The FDIC is in a precarious situation, which regional banks only exacerbate.

Forbes

Ali knew she was in a precarious situation with her health and weight.

Huffington Post

Bucer, excommunicated and without means of subsistence, was in a precarious situation when he arrived in Strasbourg.

Wikipedia

"These children are in a precarious situation.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be in a precarious situation", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific risks or uncertainties involved. Providing concrete details strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "to be in a precarious situation" when the circumstances are merely inconvenient or mildly challenging. Reserve it for truly risky or unstable conditions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in a precarious situation" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a predicate complement. It elaborates on the state or condition of a subject, indicating that it is facing instability, risk, or uncertainty. Even without perfect matches, Ludwig points to similar examples confirming this function.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be in a precarious situation" is a grammatically correct and widely applicable expression used to describe conditions of risk, instability, or uncertainty. Although Ludwig did not find exact matches, it returned similar results to showcase the phrase in context. The phrase is suitable for various registers, leaning towards neutral, and serves to highlight potential dangers or necessary caution. Due to absence of perfect matches, its frequency is labeled as 'Missing', but the presence of similar expressions indicates its established use in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in a vulnerable position

Focuses on susceptibility to harm or exploitation, highlighting weakness.

to be in a risky situation

Emphasizes the potential for negative outcomes or danger.

to be in a difficult predicament

Highlights the challenging and troublesome nature of the circumstances.

to be on thin ice

Implies being close to failure or trouble, suggesting a lack of margin for error.

to be walking a tightrope

Suggests a need for careful and precise action to avoid failure or disaster.

to be between a rock and a hard place

Indicates a dilemma with two equally unpleasant options.

to be in dire straits

Emphasizes extreme hardship and distress.

to be at a crossroads

Suggests a critical decision point with significant consequences.

to be skating on the edge

Focuses on being close to a dangerous or undesirable state.

to be facing uncertainty

Highlights the lack of predictability and potential for unexpected outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "to be in a precarious situation" in a sentence?

Use "to be in a precarious situation" to describe someone or something facing risk, instability, or uncertainty. For instance, "After the company's financial losses, it found itself "in a vulnerable position"".

What are some alternatives to "to be in a precarious situation"?

You can use alternatives like "to be in a vulnerable position", "to be in a risky situation", or "to be in a difficult predicament" depending on the context.

What does it mean to be "in dire straits" compared to being in a "precarious situation"?

"To be in dire straits" suggests a more severe and desperate condition than simply being in a "precarious situation". Precarious implies risk and instability, while dire straits indicates extreme hardship.

Is it appropriate to use "to be in a precarious situation" in formal writing?

Yes, "to be in a precarious situation" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a state of risk or instability. However, ensure the context warrants such a description; otherwise, consider softer alternatives.