under significant stress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under significant stress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is experiencing a high level of pressure or anxiety. Example: "The employee was under significant stress due to the tight deadlines and heavy workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is hard not to conclude that these children's backs are under significant stress.

The New York Times - Science

And the industry is still under significant stress.

The New York Times

"The structures we've built to handle our security are under significant stress and may not survive to serve us in the future".

The New York Times

Ali explains: "The main challenge in western Syria is not immediate security, but loss of loved ones, loss of income, significant overcrowding due to internal displacement, and the infrastructure is under significant stress".

The Guardian

Unesco last month "noted with concern that the ecosystem of the lake is reported to be under significant stress" and a decrease in fish stocks is just one observable effect.

The Guardian

The Air Force units that run the service's fleet of drone aircraft are "under significant stress," with long hours and a potential brain drain coming that will prompt a variety of changes, Air Force Secretary Deborah James said Thursday.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The new vehicle was put under some significant stress before Google and the Department of Transportation okayed it to interact with primate-operated vehicles.

The Guardian - Tech

It was found that under certain conditions, significant stress concentration and discontinuity can take place to initiate crack and/or delamination in the systems.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

The cooling of the underlying soils led to the occurrence of frost heave, which pushed the foundations upward and caused a significant stress bulb under the bases of tower foundations.

Cold Regions Science and Technology

Video-recordings depicted significant stress occurence under the difficult conditions, whatever the operator's experience.

Annals of Intensive Care

The Hinkley Point project is already heavily subsidised by UK taxpayers, while EDF, the French largely state owned company overseeing the project, is under significant financial stress.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systemic issues or broad situations, use "under significant stress" to convey the magnitude of the challenges. For example, "The healthcare system is under significant stress due to the aging population."

Common error

Avoid using "under significant stress" in casual conversation or overly informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "stressed" or "pressured" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under significant stress" functions primarily as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of a noun. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to indicate that something or someone is experiencing a high degree of pressure or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under significant stress" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey a state of high pressure or difficulty. Ludwig AI indicates its frequent use across news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for professional or academic writing. While there are similar phrases, such as "experiencing considerable strain" or "facing substantial pressure", it's essential to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality of your writing and avoid overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing considerable strain

This phrase replaces "stress" with "strain" and "significant" with "considerable", emphasizing the pressure and difficulty experienced.

facing substantial pressure

This alternative shifts the focus to "pressure" instead of "stress", suggesting external forces are causing the difficulty.

subjected to immense pressure

This alternative replaces "significant" with "immense" and "under" with "subjected to", highlighting the intensity of the pressure.

enduring extreme hardship

This alternative substitutes "stress" with "hardship" and "significant" with "extreme", emphasizing the difficult conditions being faced.

grappling with intense pressure

This alternative replaces "under" with "grappling with" and "significant" with "intense", focusing on the act of struggling with the pressure.

operating in demanding circumstances

This alternative replaces "stress" with "circumstances" and describes the nature of the environment rather than the feeling of stress.

contending with considerable adversity

This phrase focuses on "adversity" rather than "stress", suggesting a more challenging and unfavorable situation.

navigating a difficult situation

This alternative focuses on the act of "navigating" a "difficult situation", emphasizing the need for careful management.

in a state of high alert

This phrase refers to a condition of readiness due to potential threats or challenges, slightly diverting from the direct concept of stress.

undergoing a period of intense trial

This alternative replaces stress with trial and emphasizes the duration and difficulty of the period.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "under significant stress" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "experiencing considerable strain", "subjected to immense pressure", or "facing substantial pressure".

What's a simpler way to say "under significant stress" in casual conversation?

In less formal contexts, you can use phrases like "really stressed", "under pressure", or "having a tough time".

Is it better to say "under significant stress" or "under a lot of stress"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "under significant stress" is generally perceived as more formal and impactful. "Under a lot of stress" is more common in everyday speech.

When is it appropriate to use "under significant stress" in writing?

Use "under significant stress" when you want to emphasize the severity and impact of the stress being experienced, particularly in formal reports, academic papers, or news articles.