a troublesome question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a troublesome question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is difficult, problematic, or causes concern. Example: "During the meeting, she raised a troublesome question about the project's feasibility that left everyone in deep thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A few years on, however, their efforts have raised a troublesome question: Were they bringing the wrong treatment to the wrong people?

The New York Times - Magazine

While other prime-time tennis players of his generation might have heard a troublesome question, exhaled and given a thoughtful response, Nalbandian has long specialized in the curt reply, with the hard set of his strong features and the tight fold of his arms forming an impressive barrier to further dialogue.

The New York Times - Sports

PAGE B2 GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP Since many new airplanes are capable of flying nonstop for as long as 20 hours, the Federal Aviation Administration is again wrestling with a troublesome question: How do you make sure the flight crews get enough sleep?

The New York Times

How to keep radioactive material from falling into malevolent hands remains a troublesome question.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Because the Court agreed that Mr. Toussie's offense oc curred on the fifth day after his 18th birthday and his gallon to register then, ended, it did not have to face a more troublesome question raised by him— that a continuing obliga tion to register later would constitute compulsory self‐in crimination, since to register later would be an admission that he had not registered when he turned 18.

The New York Times

"It's a very troublesome question for me as to what the hell to do with them," he said recently.

The New Yorker

Adler raises a more troublesome question, what she calls "the recent affinity of the press with prosecutors," in connection with the Whitewater and Wen Ho Lee investigations.

The New York Times - Books

A persistent and troublesome question of antitrust policy concerns the proper treatment of practices and behavior related to the provision of information to buyers and sellers.

University of Chicago

As a result, the courts often have to resolve the troublesome question of whether a tax-free "gift" was actually a payment for services rendered.

Huffington Post

Beyond the political uproar in Washington lies a deeper and even more troublesome question: Can the C.I.A. and the other spy agencies prevent another such disaster?

The New York Times

Aside from those who cannot abide a DA who once took off his clothes and had sex in front of a camera, this is the more troublesome question.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a troublesome question", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the question 'troublesome'—is it the complexity, the sensitivity, or the potential consequences of asking it?

Common error

While "troublesome" is acceptable, consider stronger or more precise synonyms like "challenging", "complex", or "sensitive" to enhance clarity and impact, especially in formal or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a troublesome question" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'troublesome' modifies the noun 'question'. This indicates a question that poses difficulties or causes concern. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a troublesome question" is grammatically correct and functions as a noun phrase to describe a question that presents difficulties or concerns. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific discussions. While not exceedingly common, its appropriateness lies in highlighting inquiries that are not only challenging to answer but also potentially problematic. Remember to consider synonyms like "a challenging question" or "a thorny question" for enhanced precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perplexing question

Replaces 'troublesome' with 'perplexing', focusing on the confusing nature of the question.

a vexing question

Substitutes 'troublesome' with 'vexing', highlighting the irritating or frustrating aspect of the question.

a thorny question

Replaces 'troublesome' with 'thorny', emphasizing the complexity and potential for conflict associated with the question.

a difficult question to answer

Adds 'to answer' to emphasize the challenge in finding a solution.

a challenging question

Substitutes 'troublesome' with 'challenging', focusing on the difficulty it presents.

a problematic inquiry

Replaces 'question' with 'inquiry' and 'troublesome' with 'problematic', indicating the question causes issues.

an issue that raises concerns

Shifts the focus from a question to an issue causing worry.

a delicate matter to inquire about

Highlights the sensitivity and potential risk of the question.

a nagging doubt

Expresses the question as a persistent and bothersome uncertainty.

a sticky wicket

An idiomatic alternative that describes the question to be difficult or awkward.

FAQs

How can I use "a troublesome question" in a sentence?

You can use "a troublesome question" to describe an inquiry that is difficult to answer or raises complex issues. For example, "The ethical implications of the new technology presented "a troublesome question" for the committee".

What can I say instead of "a troublesome question"?

You can use alternatives like "a perplexing question", "a challenging question", or "a thorny question" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a troublesome question" or "a difficult question"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""a troublesome question"" implies that the question causes worry or problems, while "a difficult question" simply suggests it's hard to answer.

In what contexts is "a troublesome question" most appropriate?

"A troublesome question" is appropriate in contexts where the question not only poses a challenge in finding an answer but also introduces potential complications or concerns. It is often used in academic, ethical, or political discussions.