- circumstance
- noun1 (usually circumstances) facts/events that affect sthADJECTIVE▪ favourable/favorable▪
The plan might work better with more favourable/favorable circumstances.
▪ adverse, difficult, dire, tragic, trying, unfavourable/unfavorable▪people facing adverse circumstances
▪He died in tragic circumstances.
▪ normal, ordinary▪In normal circumstances I would let you use my car, but today I need it.
▪ exceptional, extraordinary, extreme, special, unusual▪Only if the circumstances are exceptional will we accept late applications.
▪ mysterious, suspicious▪She died in rather suspicious circumstances.
▪ extenuating, mitigating▪His sentence was reduced because of the extenuating circumstances.
▪ changed, changing, different▪ unavoidable, unforeseen▪ economic, financial, historical, political, social▪life in the changing economic circumstances of China
▪ certain, particular, specific▪ current, present▪ right▪ life (esp. AmE)… OF CIRCUMSTANCES▪ set▪an unfortunate set of circumstances that made her life difficult
CIRCUMSTANCE + VERB▪ change▪ conspire▪I felt that circumstances were conspiring against me.
▪ force▪ dictate sth, require sth, warrant sth▪Circumstances dictate that I should leave this town forever.
▪ allowPREPOSITION▪ according to circumstance▪The amount paid will vary according to circumstances.
▪ due to … circumstances▪Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule the concert.
▪ in … circumstances▪She died in suspicious circumstances.
▪ in the circumstances, under the circumstances▪In the circumstances, you'd better call the police.
▪ circumstance surrounding▪The bank will investigate the circumstances surrounding the robbery.
PHRASES▪ by force of circumstance▪The survivors ate plants and insects by force of circumstance.
▪ circumstances beyond our control▪The delays were due to circumstances beyond our control.
▪ the circumstances of sb's life▪the tragic circumstances of his early life
▪ a combination of circumstances▪We lost our position in the market due to a combination of circumstances.
▪ in no circumstances, under no circumstances▪Under no circumstances should you leave the door unlocked.
▪ a victim of circumstance▪He was simply a victim of circumstance.
2 circumstances amount of money you haveADJECTIVE▪ desperate, modest, reduced, straitened (formal)▪ comfortable▪ better▪ domestic, family, personalCIRCUMSTANCES + VERB▪ improve▪ worsenPREPOSITION▪ in … circumstance▪He was a writer living in straitened circumstances.
Collocations dictionary. 2013.
