troubled times

USAGE SUMMARY

"troubled times" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of difficulty or instability. Example: "The country was going through troubled times, with economic downturn and political unrest causing widespread concern among its citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were troubled times.

The Guardian - Sport

For O'Neill these are unexpectedly troubled times.

Independent

Are These Troubled Times bringing you down?

Independent

The family had endured troubled times before this windfall.

The Washington Post

These have been troubled times for the Exiles.

BBC

US and Canada flags on crumpled paper signifying troubled times.

Forbes

The team then hit troubled times before reforming in 2003.

Wikipedia

Those are apt words for our particularly troubled times.

HuffPost

It will help you fight through troubled times.

WikiHow

We live in troubled times.

The New York Times

Troubled times call for accountability.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "troubled times" to refer to periods marked by significant challenges, like economic downturns or social unrest. This signals a period of instability and difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "troubled times" as a vague statement. Provide specific context or examples to illustrate the actual challenges and difficulties of the period you are describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troubled times" functions as a noun phrase, where "troubled" is an adjective modifying the noun "times". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "troubled times" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively describes periods marked by significant difficulty or instability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and commonly employed across diverse sources. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in academic and wiki contexts, maintaining a generally neutral tone. For impactful writing, provide specific context to illustrate the challenges, and consider alternatives like ""difficult period"" or ""challenging times"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard times

A more direct and common way to express the same idea.

challenging times

Softens the negative connotation, focusing on the difficulties to overcome.

difficult period

Focuses on the challenge and hardship of the time.

times of crisis

Highlights the critical and urgent nature of the situation.

times of adversity

Highlights the challenging and adverse nature of the circumstances.

turbulent era

Describes the time as chaotic and unstable.

periods of unrest

Emphasizes the instability and turmoil of the era.

unstable period

Focuses on the lack of stability and predictability.

precarious moments

Stresses the uncertainty and risk associated with the situation.

strained moments

Highlights the stress and tension during the period.

FAQs

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

You can use "troubled times" to describe a period marked by difficulty or instability. For example: "The nation faced many challenges during those troubled times."

What are some synonyms for "troubled times"?

Alternatives include "difficult period", "hard times", or "challenging times", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "troubled times" in formal writing?

Yes, "troubled times" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing historical or significant periods of difficulty. However, consider the tone and audience to ensure it fits the context.

What's the difference between "troubled times" and "difficult times"?

While similar, "troubled times" often implies a deeper sense of unease or societal disruption than just "difficult times", suggesting more significant turmoil or instability.