tough predicament

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'tough predicament' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult or seemingly impossible situation. Example: After all the money she had spent, Jane found herself in a tough predicament—she had to find a way to pay her rent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Once that was going on him, he was in a tough predicament".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a real, real tough predicament most Liverpool fans are in," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

But Mr Osborne insisted that slowing the pace of deficit reduction would only make Britain's "tough" predicament worse.

Independent

Egotista, you've left me in a tough predicament.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

You are in the midst of one of the toughest predicaments you may ever face in your career, and I wish you all the very best in tackling it.

Science Magazine

Schalke's already tough financial predicament - though also not helped by Felix Magath's transfer policies - would be a whole lot worse were it not for Tönnies' relationship with Putin.

Independent

Although support for the research bump-ups came from both sides of the aisle, the new chair of the House Science Committee, Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN), credited "the Democratic leadership" for pulling off the feat despite "a very tough budget predicament".

Science Magazine

What drives him to knotty predicaments?

Forbes

Then there's Fischer's sense of literary style, his cutesy, lazy habit of enlivening his prose by the use or archly deliberate misuse of needlessly fancy locutions: "bailed out of the womb," "a tough [predicament] to mendacity out".

The New York Times - Books

A market share of 70% is tough to boost — a predicament FORBES long ago noticed (Sept . 5 , 1988

Forbes

["The Prince"] What makes the climate predicament even tougher is the uneven nature of human development, and the reality that nearly all of the growth in emissions of greenhouse gases is coming from a near-inevitable burst of fossil fuel combustion in fast-growing developing countries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tough predicament" to describe a situation that is not only difficult but also leaves someone feeling trapped or without easy solutions. It's stronger than just a "difficult situation".

Common error

Avoid using "tough predicament" in everyday situations that are merely inconvenient. This phrase is best reserved for truly challenging and impactful scenarios to maintain its gravitas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough predicament" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "predicament". It describes a state or situation characterized by difficulty and a lack of easy solutions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tough predicament" is a valid and useful way to describe a difficult situation, particularly one that seems inescapable or lacks clear solutions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it is appropriate for neutral to slightly formal contexts, especially in news and media. Alternatives like "difficult situation" or "challenging circumstance" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to reserve it for truly serious situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult situation

Focuses on the difficulty of the situation, omitting the implication of being trapped or cornered.

challenging circumstance

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the situation, softening the negative connotation.

awkward position

Highlights the discomfort and social difficulty of the situation.

sticky situation

Implies a situation that is difficult to get out of, often with negative consequences.

untenable position

Suggests that the situation is unsustainable or impossible to maintain.

unenviable situation

Highlights that the situation is undesirable and not to be envied.

precarious situation

Emphasizes the instability and potential danger of the situation.

tight spot

Indicates a situation where one has limited options and is under pressure.

complex dilemma

Focuses on the complexity and difficulty of choosing between different options.

thorny issue

Highlights the problematic and potentially controversial nature of the situation.

FAQs

How to use "tough predicament" in a sentence?

You can use "tough predicament" to describe a difficult situation with no obvious solution. For example: "After losing all his savings, he found himself in a "tough predicament"."

What can I say instead of "tough predicament"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult situation", "challenging circumstance", or "awkward position" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "tough predicament" or "hard predicament"?

"Tough predicament" and "hard predicament" are both grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "tough predicament" and "difficult situation"?

While both refer to challenging scenarios, "tough predicament" implies a more entrapping or inescapable quality than a general "difficult situation". A predicament suggests being caught in a problematic situation with no easy way out.