a problematic year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problematic year" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a year that has been filled with difficulties, challenges, or issues. Example: "2020 was a problematic year for many due to the global pandemic and its widespread effects on health and the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All this uncertainty suggests 2017 could be a problematic year for global nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Following a few problematic years where standards were deemed to have dropped well below the levels of decency required for this kind of formal event, organisers had no option but to introduce a dress code.

Independent

It gave a higher than predicted forecast for 2014 earnings and said it expected to return to growth in 2015 after a couple of problematic years, helped by a good performance from its North American business.

The Guardian - Business

Given Harrison's marital problems, and the generally unfavourable reception given to his tour and album, author Gary Tillery describes his new relationship with Olivia Arias as "[t]he one bright spot in the problematic year".

Wikipedia

Mr Linnell, who also had responsibility over finances in several Lowe offices in western Europe, is a casualty of the agency's drive to rebuild its senior management team in the London office after a problematic few years.

The Guardian

WWE's inaugural Greatest Royal Rumble event takes place Friday, and it will serve as the kickoff of a problematic 10-year alliance between WWE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Forbes

Two problematic years that, in fact, turned out better wines than they should have.

The New York Times - Food

Another company that inadequately incorporated cultural differences into its expansion efforts is Walmart, which abandoned ambitions for German domination after nine problematic years.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Springfield Gardens High School graduated its last class in 2008, after problematic years with knife fights and shootings; it is now home to four smaller, specialized schools.

The New York Times

In November 1998, as major PC companies were closing out one of the most problematic years selling PCs, Emachines defied the odds by jumping into the cutthroat business.

Forbes

Although this year's event was, by all accounts, a success, it never managed to fully escape the ghost of Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL ), which sponsored the festival the first two problematic years when it was called The Macintosh New York Music Festival.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a problematic year", ensure that the context clearly defines what made the year problematic. Be specific about the issues or challenges involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a problematic year" without providing any context. This phrase is most effective when you elaborate on the specific problems or issues that made the year difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problematic year" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where "problematic" is an adjective modifying the noun "year". The phrase typically serves as an attribute or descriptor within a sentence, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a problematic year" is a grammatically correct and widely understandable phrase used to describe a year marked by difficulties or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests alternatives like "a challenging year" or "a difficult year" depending on the specific context. While its usage is not extremely frequent, it appears across various sources including news, wiki, and science, indicating a neutral register. When employing this phrase, it's best to provide specific context regarding the issues that made the year "problematic" to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging year

This alternative focuses on the difficulties and tests faced during the year.

a difficult year

This phrase emphasizes the hardships and struggles encountered throughout the year.

a troublesome year

This alternative highlights the annoyances and problems that characterized the year.

a year of difficulties

This phrase shifts the focus to the difficulties themselves, emphasizing their presence throughout the year.

a year fraught with problems

This alternative adds a sense of danger and worry to the problems encountered.

a year of setbacks

This phrase focuses specifically on the failures and disappointments experienced.

a trying year

This alternative emphasizes the stressful and exhausting nature of the year.

an eventful year (in a negative way)

While 'eventful' can be neutral, specifying 'in a negative way' signals a year filled with significant, often undesirable, happenings.

a rough year

This phrase indicates a year filled with harsh conditions and unpleasant experiences.

a year marked by adversity

This alternative emphasizes the presence of hardship and misfortune throughout the year.

FAQs

What does "a problematic year" mean?

The phrase "a problematic year" describes a year characterized by difficulties, challenges, or significant issues. It suggests that the year was marked by troubles and setbacks.

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

You can use "a problematic year" to describe a period marked by specific issues. For example: "2020 was "a problematic year" due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

What are some alternatives to saying "a problematic year"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a challenging year", "a difficult year", or "a troublesome year", depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a problematic year" in formal writing?

Yes, "a problematic year" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, although in formal contexts, you might consider providing more specific details about the problems encountered.