troubled situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'troubled situation' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a difficult or complicated situation that causes concern or distress. For example, "The family is in a troubled situation due to the father's illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The course of Ms. Islam's life in the last eight years has been descent toward family disintegration, followed by tenuous ascent to the relatively stable, but still troubled, situation the family is currently in.

The New York Times

This was the final blow to our already troubled situation".

TechCrunch

Epimetheus seems to be very present again, in the form of political blindness and short-term thinking that makes an already troubled situation become increasingly perilous.

Huffington Post

He went into a troubled situation.

The New York Times

"The union almost had to be jump-started," Ms. Roberts said, talking about the troubled situation she inherited.

The New York Times

The danger within, statistically running at 50 killings a day in South African cities, is at this moment the more troubled situation.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

She recalled him crying as he watched the nightly news and then making a donation to a charity aimed at easing whatever troubling situation he had seen.

The New York Times

He proposed amending state law to address what he called a "really troubling" situation in which numerous state agencies were unaware of the allegations of pervasive anti-Semitism.

The New York Times

SOMETHING POSITIVE has come out of the otherwise troubling situation in which President Trump has managed — so far — to thwart the will of Congress and allocate funds to his proposed border wall.

The Washington Post

In the context of the completely unresolved and immensely troubling situation, not just in Ferguson but across the United States, where Ferguson has opened wounds that go back centuries, this picture is a blatant lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

McFarland released an earnest statement to the the magazine detailing his background before entering the music festival world, his love of rap music, his friendship with Ja Rule, and the weather problems that made an already troubling situation even worse.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "troubled situation", provide specific details about the nature of the trouble to give your reader a clear understanding of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "troubled situation" as a catch-all phrase without providing context. Instead, specify the exact nature of the difficulty, such as financial instability, political unrest, or family conflict, to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troubled situation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "troubled" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a state of affairs that is problematic or concerning. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "troubled situation" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe problematic or concerning circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples spanning news, academic, and general contexts. While versatile, providing specific details when using this phrase is best to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "difficult predicament" or "precarious circumstances" can offer nuanced descriptions. The phrase maintains a generally neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult predicament

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the circumstances.

problematic scenario

Highlights the issues and potential negative outcomes of the situation.

precarious circumstances

Focuses on the instability and potential danger of the situation.

unfavorable conditions

Highlights the negative aspects and lack of advantage.

dire straits

Implies a severe and urgent crisis.

challenging circumstances

Underscores the difficulties involved.

adverse conditions

Highlights the opposing and harmful nature of the circumstances.

critical juncture

Focuses on the decisive and potentially risky turning point.

delicate situation

Highlights the need for careful handling and sensitivity.

complex predicament

Highlights the intricate and complicated nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "troubled situation" in a sentence?

You can use "troubled situation" to describe a difficult or problematic circumstance. For example, "The company found itself in a "troubled situation" after the scandal was revealed".

What are some alternatives to "troubled situation"?

Some alternatives include "difficult predicament", "problematic scenario", or "precarious circumstances", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "troubled situation" or "difficult situation"?

"Troubled situation" implies a deeper level of concern or distress compared to "difficult situation". The choice depends on the severity of the circumstances you're describing. The phrase "difficult situation" is a good general-purpose option.

What kind of situations can be described as a "troubled situation"?

A "troubled situation" can refer to various contexts such as financial crises, political unrest, personal conflicts, or any scenario causing significant distress or difficulty.