a controversial problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a controversial problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or topic that generates differing opinions or debates among people. Example: "The debate over climate change remains a controversial problem that divides scientists and policymakers alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His date of birth is naturally a controversial problem.

Britannica

This study not only enriches the existing research on Chinese face, but also exploratively answers a controversial problem in this area.

Frontiers of Business Research in China

Some group of researchers like Vick et al. and Donelli et al. mentioned BBB as a controversial problem for brain tumor chemotherapy [ 1, 2].

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Zunz looks at the ways in which American philanthropy emerged not as charity work, but as an open and sometimes controversial means to foster independent investigation, problem solving, and the greater good.

Princeton University

There is, however, a further controversial problem.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Homelessness has been a chronic and controversial problem for San Francisco since the early 1970s when many mentally ill patients were deinstitutionalized, due to changes which began during the 1960s with the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid.

Wikipedia

Few elected leaders have been willing to invest the time or risk the political backlash of confronting such a challenging, costly and controversial problem.

Los Angeles Times

The deep phylogeny of eukaryotes is an extremely difficult and controversial problem.

Biology Direct

The burning question from a variety of outside observers of the controversial problem of Catholic hospital expansion in the U.S., including those on both sides of the debate is: If there is really a problem, why don't we hear it from patients?

HuffPost

With characteristic self-deprecation, he described his mind as "quick but sloppy" in that he preferred the challenges of describing a controversial new problem to undertaking mathematical calculations.

Cornell University

Moreover, different similarity measures could be incorporated in our methodology, especially in what concerns the evaluation of the functional similarity among signatures, which is recognized as a controversial research problem [ 15].

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a controversial problem", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the controversy and who is involved. Provide specific examples or background information to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid labeling every disagreement as "a controversial problem". Reserve this phrase for issues with significant and widespread debate, not minor or personal disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a controversial problem" serves as a descriptive noun phrase. It identifies a particular issue or situation characterized by significant disagreement or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a controversial problem" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes an issue marked by significant disagreement. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon, suggesting it's not an everyday expression but reserved for specific contexts. The phrase appears across various domains, including science, news, and academia, signaling its versatility. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "a contentious issue" or "a disputed matter". When employing this phrase, ensure the context sufficiently highlights the nature and scope of the controversy to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a contentious issue

Focuses on the element of dispute and disagreement.

a contentious topic

Similar to 'a controversial issue', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on active disagreement.

a disputed matter

Emphasizes the lack of consensus and active contesting of the problem.

a debatable question

Highlights that the problem is open to discussion and argument.

a thorny issue

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential for causing pain or conflict.

a divisive issue

Emphasizes the separating effect the problem has on people or groups.

a sensitive subject

Indicates that the topic requires careful handling due to potential offense or strong emotions.

a vexed question

Implies that the problem is complex and has been debated extensively without resolution.

a challenging dilemma

Focuses on the difficulty and need for careful decision-making.

a polarizing topic

Highlights that the issue divides people into opposing groups.

FAQs

How can I use "a controversial problem" in a sentence?

You can use "a controversial problem" to describe issues that spark disagreement, for example: "The use of artificial intelligence in warfare is "a controversial problem"."

What's a good alternative to "a controversial problem"?

Alternatives include "a contentious issue", "a disputed matter", or "a debatable question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "a controversial problem" or "a thorny issue"?

"A controversial problem" is generally considered more neutral, whereas "a thorny issue" suggests a more difficult and complex problem.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a controversial problem"?

Use "a controversial problem" when describing a situation where there's considerable disagreement or debate among different groups or individuals. Make sure that there is enough context on what makes the issue controversial.