a problematic issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"a problematic issue" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic or situation that has potential to cause difficulty, confusion, or disagreement. For example: "The current immigration policy is a problematic issue for many people around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Insurance coverage is a problematic issue for the car start-ups.

The Guardian

The response from the Foreign Office was effectively to suggest that this would only be a problematic issue if Britain wanted to use such evidence in court.

The Guardian - Opinion

But picking the boss's son has always been a problematic issue, with some players rising above the bloodlines and others never escaping the accusations of nepotism.

Independent

"This is the first official government confirmation that commercialism in schools is a problematic issue," said Andrew Hagelshaw, director of the Center for Commercial-Free Publin EducatiOaklandakland, Calif., which has waged many grass-roots battles against soft-drink contracts and Channel One.

The New York Times

Evaluation is also a problematic issue in the education system.

Smart Learning Environments

However, the problem of conflicting dips situation is still a problematic issue in this method.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

This is probably not a very problematic issue in a commercial implementation as the destination will need to acknowledge packets, and therefore there will be signalling from the destination to the relays in any case.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

"I'm easily personally silenced, and in the public sphere, speech for women remains a deeply problematic issue".

The Guardian - Books

Over the years, greater skepticism has been voiced about what is, arguably, a less problematic issue: Burtynsky's inclination to depict toxic landscapes in visually arresting terms.

The New Yorker

Left to be decided in the coming days, though, is a potentially problematic issue: how the antitrust litigation filed by players in March will be resolved.

The New York Times - Sports

What cameras show -- and increasingly these days what they cannot show from Afghanistan, where television reporting is dangerous and scarce -- is a huge, problematic issue in the current crisis, and that context makes "Explorer" more valuable than ever.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a problematic issue", be specific about what makes the issue problematic. Provide context and explain the potential consequences or challenges it presents.

Common error

Avoid using "a problematic issue" as a vague placeholder. Always clarify the nature of the problem and its impact to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problematic issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "problematic" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "issue". It introduces a topic or situation that is recognized as having challenges or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a problematic issue" is a widely used phrase to describe a topic or situation that presents challenges or difficulties. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and applicable across diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal communication. While versatile, it's important to provide specific details about the nature of the problem when using this phrase. Related alternatives include "a challenging concern" and "a difficult matter". The frequency of its occurrence in scientific and news sources underscores its relevance in professional discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging concern

Replaces "issue" with "concern" and "problematic" with "challenging", emphasizing the difficulty posed.

a difficult matter

Substitutes "problematic issue" with "difficult matter", focusing on the complexity of the situation.

a complex situation

Replaces the original phrase with "complex situation", highlighting the intricate nature of the problem.

a troublesome subject

Changes "issue" to "subject" and "problematic" to "troublesome", indicating a cause of worry or difficulty.

a thorny question

Uses "thorny question" instead of "problematic issue", suggesting a sensitive and complex matter.

a delicate situation

Emphasizes the sensitivity and need for careful handling of the issue.

a sticky wicket

An idiomatic expression that describes a difficult or awkward situation.

an open question

Emphasizes the uncertainty and lack of a clear resolution.

a can of worms

Indicates that addressing the issue may lead to further unforeseen problems.

a hurdle to overcome

Focuses on the obstacle that needs to be addressed and resolved.

FAQs

What does "a problematic issue" mean?

The phrase "a problematic issue" refers to a situation or topic that presents difficulties, challenges, or complications. It suggests that there are potential problems or negative consequences associated with the matter.

How can I use "a problematic issue" in a sentence?

You can use "a problematic issue" to introduce a subject that requires attention or resolution due to its challenging nature. For example: "The lack of funding is "a problematic issue" for the research team."

What can I say instead of "a problematic issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging concern", "a difficult matter", or "a complex situation" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "problematic issue" or "difficult issue"?

Both "problematic issue" and "difficult issue" are acceptable, but "problematic issue" emphasizes the potential for negative consequences or complications, while "difficult issue" simply highlights the challenge involved. The best choice depends on the specific context.