a conundrum

USAGE SUMMARY

"conundrum" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a problem or question that is difficult to solve or answer. For example: "Solving this math equation is quite a conundrum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Here is a conundrum.

The New York Times - Science

It's quite a conundrum".

The New York Times

It's a conundrum".

The New York Times

Sunday, however, presented a conundrum.

The New York Times

But herein lies a conundrum.

The Economist

This, then, is a conundrum.

Independent

This story is a conundrum.

The New York Times

Plastic bags pose a conundrum.

The New York Times

And therein lies a conundrum.

The New York Times

Bond investors face a conundrum.

Independent

Fathers face a conundrum.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or professional writing, pair the phrase with verbs like "present", "pose", or "face" to describe the emergence of a challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "a conundrum" to describe a simple decision between two clear options; it specifically implies a riddle, a complexity, or an intellectual puzzle that is difficult to untangle.

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "a conundrum" typically functions as a noun phrase. It most commonly acts as the direct object of a verb (e.g., "presents a conundrum") or a subject complement following a linking verb (e.g., "is a conundrum"). Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard, correct English expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "a conundrum" is a sophisticated and grammatically correct noun phrase that serves as an excellent tool for describing complex, puzzle-like situations. According to Ludwig AI, it is highly frequent in quality journalism and academic writing, appearing in top-tier publications such as The New York Times and The Economist. While it shares semantic space with terms like <a href="/s/a+quandary" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a quandary or <a href="/s/a+dilemma" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a dilemma, it is uniquely suited for highlighting the intellectual difficulty of a problem. Writers should feel confident using it to add a layer of precision and formality to their descriptions of challenging scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quandary

Emphasizes the state of uncertainty or perplexity more than the complexity of the problem itself.

a dilemma

Specific to situations where a choice must be made between two equally undesirable alternatives.

an enigma

Focuses on the mysterious or inexplicable nature of a person or situation.

a puzzle

A more common and slightly less formal term for something that is difficult to understand.

a predicament

Highlights the unpleasant or difficult nature of the situation rather than just the intellectual challenge.

a paradox

Suggests a situation that combines contradictory features or qualities.

a thorny issue

Metaphorical phrasing often used in political or social contexts to describe a sensitive problem.

a head-scratcher

An informal idiom used to describe something confusing or baffling.

a brain-teaser

Usually refers to a problem or puzzle designed for entertainment or mental exercise.

a Gordian knot

A literary allusion to an extremely complex problem that is solved by a bold or unexpected action.

FAQs

How do I use "a conundrum" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a complex problem, for example: "The budget cuts presented <a href="/s/a+conundrum" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a conundrum for the school board."

What is the difference between "a conundrum" and a dilemma?

While often used interchangeably, <a href="/s/a+dilemma" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a dilemma involves a choice between two alternatives, whereas "a conundrum" refers to a more general puzzle or intricate problem.

Is "a conundrum" formal or informal?

The term is primarily neutral to formal. It is frequently found in high-quality news sources like <a href="/s/The+New+York+Times" target="_blank" rel="alternative">The New York Times and <a href="/s/The+Economist" target="_blank" rel="alternative">The Economist.

What can I say instead of "a conundrum"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like <a href="/s/a+quandary" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a quandary, <a href="/s/a+puzzle" target="_blank" rel="alternative">a puzzle, or <a href="/s/an+enigma" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an enigma.