2
general::
noun (usually circumstances) facts/events that affect sth ADJ. favourable The scheme might work better with more favourable circumstances. | adverse, difficult, tragic, trying, unfavourable people facing adverse circumstances He died in tragic circumstances. | normal In normal circumstances I would let you use my car, but today I need it. | exceptional, 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, political, social life in the changing economic circumstances of China QUANT. set an unfortunate set of circumstances that made her life difficult CIRCUMSTANCE + VERB change | conspire, dictate sth I felt that circumstances were conspiring against me. Circumstances dictate that I should leave this town forever. PREP. according to ~ The amount paid will vary according to circumstances. | due to … ~s Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule the concert. | in … ~s She died in suspicious circumstances. | in/under the ~s In the circumstances, you'd better ring the police. | ~ surrounding The bank will investigate the circumstances surrounding the robbery. PHRASES by/through force of circumstance The survivors ate plants and insects through force of circumstance. | circumstances beyond our control The delays were due to circumstances beyond our control. | a combination of circumstances We lost our position in the market due to a combination of circumstances. | in/under no circumstances Under no circumstances should you leave the door unlocked. | a victim of circumstance He was simply a victim of circumstance. circumstances: amount of money you have ADJ. desperate, reduced, straitened | domestic, family, personal CIRCUMSTANCE + VERB improve | worsen PREP. in … ~ He was a writer living in straitened circumstances.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
4
general::
circumstance
adjectives
in/under certain circumstances
(= if particular conditions exist )
• In certain circumstances you may be refused a visa.
exceptional/special circumstances
• The court may allow this evidence in exceptional circumstances.
normal circumstances
• In normal circumstances, a child’s language will develop naturally.
particular circumstances
(= special or specific )
• There may be particular circumstances in which this rule will not apply.
difficult circumstances
• Many teachers are doing a very good job under difficult circumstances.
suspicious circumstances
(= making you think something illegal has happened )
• Officers said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
mysterious circumstances
(= strange or suspicious )
• One of their colleagues had vanished in mysterious circumstances.
unusual circumstances
• There were several unusual circumstances that night.
unforeseen circumstances
(= that you did not realize would happen )
• The tragedy was the result of a series of unforeseen circumstances.
tragic circumstances
(= extremely sad and unfortunate )
• Both parents had died in tragic circumstances.
extenuating/mitigating circumstances
(= conditions that make it reasonable for someone to break the rules or law )
• Hunger and poverty are not treated by the courts as extenuating circumstances.
phrases
a set/combination of circumstances
• This was a very unusual set of circumstances.
the circumstances surrounding something
• Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
due to circumstances beyond sb’s control
• Occasionally flights are cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.
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