Question
Updated on
6 Dec 2022
- Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent
-
English (US)
Question about English (US)
Hi, is there some difference in adjective or I can use them interchangeably?
The government is in a precarious position.
The government is in a delicate position.
The government is in a dangerous position.
The government is in an unsure position.
Hi, is there some difference in adjective or I can use them interchangeably?
The government is in a precarious position.
The government is in a delicate position.
The government is in a dangerous position.
The government is in an unsure position.
The government is in a precarious position.
The government is in a delicate position.
The government is in a dangerous position.
The government is in an unsure position.
Answers
Read more comments
- English (US)
- English (UK)
"Delicate position" and "precarious position" are exactly the same.
However, a "dangerous" position would be worse for the government than a "delicate" or "precarious" position. "Delicate" and "precarious" mean that things could go very badly, but also could go okay. "Dangerous" means things probably will go very badly.
An "unsure" position is a lot more neutral. It doesn't necessarily imply things might go badly. It just means that the government is not certain about what it should do.
Highly-rated answerer
- Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent
- English (US)
- English (UK)
@svohstiile
"Precarious" and "delicate" are both extremely natural and most adjectives with similar meanings will not fit as well as those two do in this context.
But you can also say:
"The government is in an unstable position."
Highly-rated answerer
- Portuguese (Brazil) Near fluent
@Natitan when it is about abstract I should use , unstable , not safe, precarious, and delicate the same ? And when it is about concrete or places where there can be a danger, it can be dangerous, not safe, precarious?

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