under great pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

"under great pressure" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you wish to emphasize how difficult a situation is for someone. For example, "The CEO was under great pressure to make a tough decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When under great pressure the great overpower.

The Guardian - Books

The hospital itself was under great pressure.

The Guardian

Iran's leaders are under great pressure to do something.

The Economist

It is under great pressure to go further.

The Economist

The social care sector is under great pressure.

The Guardian

This is putting the military under great pressure.

The Guardian

Industry is under great pressure to improve its practices.

Life Cycle Engineering of Plastics Technology, Economy and the Environment

But he is under great pressure from parliament to close it altogether.

The Economist

He continues to do what matters most: win under great pressure and with everyone expecting it.

The New York Times - Sports

"We believe the bear is under great pressure," he said from Washington.

The New York Times - Science

The famed German social safety net would come under great pressure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under great pressure", consider the specific source of the pressure to provide a clearer picture for your reader. For example, specify if it's "under great pressure from investors" or "under great pressure to meet deadlines."

Common error

Avoid using "under great pressure" vaguely. Instead of saying "The project was under great pressure", specify who or what experienced the pressure (e.g., "The project team was under great pressure").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under great pressure" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to indicate the state or condition of being subjected to significant stress or demands. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under great pressure" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe situations of significant stress or demands. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's important to specify the source of the pressure for clarity. Alternatives like "facing immense strain" or "subject to intense stress" can offer nuanced variations. Overall, "under great pressure" effectively communicates a state of being challenged by substantial external forces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing immense strain

Replaces "pressure" with "strain", emphasizing the mental or emotional toll.

subject to intense stress

Uses "stress" instead of "pressure", highlighting the psychological burden.

experiencing significant duress

Replaces "pressure" with "duress", suggesting a more forceful or coercive situation.

in a high-stakes situation

Shifts the focus to the importance of the situation rather than the pressure itself.

confronting considerable challenges

Emphasizes the difficulties being faced, rather than the direct feeling of pressure.

grappling with substantial demands

Highlights the demands being made and their impact.

in a crucible of expectations

Uses a metaphorical expression emphasizing intense scrutiny and high expectations.

at a critical juncture

Indicates a crucial point where decisions are particularly important and impactful.

navigating a turbulent period

Focuses on the chaotic nature of the circumstances and the act of managing through them.

feeling the weight of expectations

Emphasizes the emotional burden of meeting high expectations.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "under great pressure" in a sentence?

Use "under great pressure" to describe situations where individuals or entities face significant stress or demands. For example, "The team was "under great pressure" to deliver the project on time."

What are some alternatives to saying "under great pressure"?

You can use alternatives like "facing immense strain", "subject to intense stress", or "experiencing significant duress" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "under great pressures"?

While "pressure" can be used as a countable noun in certain contexts (e.g., "atmospheric pressures"), in the context of stress or demands, it's typically used as an uncountable noun. Therefore, ""under great pressure"" is generally preferred over "under great pressures".

How does ""under great pressure"" differ from "under intense pressure"?

While both phrases are similar, "under intense pressure" often suggests a higher degree of stress or urgency compared to ""under great pressure"". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.