circumstance

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The debate about the merits of in the circumstances and under the circumstances continued for most of the 20th century. The pedantic view is that since circumstances are, etymologically speaking, around (circum) us, we must be in them and not under them; but Fowler rightly rejected this argument as puerile and observed that under the circumstances 'is neither illogical nor of recent invention (1665 in Old English (up to 1150)D)'. The Old English (up to 1150)D further noted that 'mere situation is expressed by in the circumstances, action affected is performed under the circumstances', a subtle distinction that is useful as a general guide but no more:

Never, under any circumstances, solder connections to the tags with them already on the cartridge—Hi-Fi Sound, 1971

As a writer, and collector of unusual information, I would be interested to hear from people who have seen the 'little people' or any strange, apparently non-human beings, under any circumstances whatever—Stornoway Gazette, 1973

We understand that in normal circumstances we wouldn't be entitled to any money—radio transcript, Australian English 2001 [Old English (up to 1150)C].

Choice is also affected by the presence of an adjective or other qualifier for circumstances: in present circumstances, in exceptional circumstances, under these circumstances, under no circumstances, etc., are all idiomatic constructions.

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noun

1. Existing surroundings that affect an activity. condition (used in plural), environment. Slang scene. See be.
2. One of the conditions or facts attending an event and having some bearing on it: detail, fact, factor, particular. See real/imaginary.
3. Something that happens: event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence, thing. See happen.
4. Something significant that happens: development, episode, event, happening, incident, news, occasion, occurrence, thing. See happen.

IN BRIEF: n. - Information that should be kept in mind when making a decision; Formal ceremony about important occasions; A condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity; The set of facts that surround a situation or event.

You have the power to think what you want. No matter what the circumstance. — Unknown

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Quotes:

"Circumstances do not make the man, they reveal him." - James Allen

"Although our inattention can contribute to our lack of total well-being, we also have the power to choose positive behaviors and responses. In that choice we change our every experience of life!" - Greg Anderson

"Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your knowledge and adding to your experience, so that you can make the most of opportunity when it occurs." - Mario Andretti

"And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. [Genesis 50:20]" - Bible

"It is our relation to circumstances that determine their influence over us. The same wind that blows one ship into port may blow another off shore." - Christian Nevell Bovee

"You are where you are today because you've chosen to be there." - Harry Browne

See more famous quotes about Circumstance

See words rhyming with "circumstance."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Circumstance.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - omstændighed, vilkår, detalje, ceremoniel, skæbnen
v. tr. - stille

idioms:

• in the circumstances    under disse omstændigheder
• not under any circumstances    ikke under nogen omstændigheder
• under the circumstances    under disse omstændigheder

Nederlands (Dutch)
omstandigheid, feit, praal, details

Français (French)
n. - circonstance, facteur, circonstances, situation
v. tr. - placer/situer dans un contexte particulier, apporter des détails, contrôler/guider par les circonstances

idioms:

• in the circumstances    dans ces circonstances
• not under any circumstances    en aucun cas
• under the circumstances    dans ces circonstances

Deutsch (German)
n. - Umstand, Verhältnisse, Gepränge, Detailschilderung
v. - in besondere Verhältnisse versetzen

idioms:

• in the circumstances    unter den gegebenen Umständen
• not under any circumstances    auf keinen Fall
• under the circumstances    unter den gegebenen Umständen

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - περίσταση, κατάσταση (πραγμάτων), συγκυρία, οικονομική κατάσταση, (τελετουργική) επισημότητα ή μεγαλοπρέπεια

idioms:

• in the circumstances    ούτως εχόντων των πραγμάτων
• not under any circumstances    ποτέ, σε καμία περίπτωση
• under the circumstances    ούτως εχόντων των πραγμάτων, έτσι που ήρθαν τα πράγματα

Italiano (Italian)
circostanza

idioms:

• in/ under the circumstances    nelle circostanze
• under any circumstances    in qualsiasi circostanza

Português (Portuguese)
n. - circunstância (f)

idioms:

• in/under the circumstances    assim sendo
• in/under the circumstances    sob as circunstâncias
• not under any circumstances    de maneira alguma

Русский (Russian)
обстоятельство

idioms:

• in/ under the circumstances    при данных обстоятельствах
• not under any circumstances    ни при каких обстоятельствах

Español (Spanish)
n. - circunstancia, detalle
v. tr. - circunstancia, detalle

idioms:

• in the circumstances    dadas las circunstancias
• not under any circumstances    bajo ningún concepto, no bajo cualquier circunstancia, de ningún modo, en modo alguno
• under the circumstances    dadas las circunstancias

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - omständighet, krus

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
环境, 事件, 状况, 使处于某种境况, 给...加上细节, 详述, 使受条件限制

idioms:

• in the circumstances    既然这样
• not under any circumstances    决不, 无论如何不
• under the circumstances    按现在情况, 在这种情况下

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 環境, 事件, 狀況
v. tr. - 使處於某種境況, 給...加上細節, 詳述, 使受條件限制

idioms:

• in the circumstances    既然這樣
• not under any circumstances    決不, 無論如何不
• under the circumstances    按現在情況, 在這種情況下

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 상황, 사건, 부수적인 일
v. tr. - 어떤 환경에 놓이다

idioms:

• in the circumstances    사정이 그러하므로, 지금으로서는
• under the circumstances    사정이 그러하므로, 지금으로서는

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 事情, 境遇, 次第, 一つの事実, もの, 儀式ばったこと, 状況, 出来事

idioms:

• reduced circumstances    落ちぶれた状態

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) ظرف, حال‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮תנאים, טקסיות, טקס, מצב, מקרה, פרט, עובדה, נסיבות, מצב כספי‬
v. tr. - ‮להביא לנסיבות או ליחסים מסוימים‬

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