a troublesome situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a troublesome situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a scenario that is difficult, problematic, or causes distress. Example: "The company found itself in a troublesome situation after the sudden departure of its CEO."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"And if energy price rises begin to be passed along, that would become a troublesome situation".

The New York Times

"Landlords right now are in a troublesome situation with everyone pinching pennies," said Wesley Zlotoff, chief executive of RentalSpaceNetwork.com in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The New York Times

Healthcare and education systems in Pakistan are in a troublesome situation, with quarter of population undernourished and women's literacy is less than 35%.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A more troublesome situation is bidentate (or polidentate) ligands in which a donor atom acts in a neutral form and the other one acts in an anionic form.

Journal of Cheminformatics

"Every now and then, you run into a very troublesome situation.

The New York Times - Sports

But he may have been soft-pedaling what seems to be an increasingly troublesome situation at AOL, which has bet its future on a new strategy of selling advertising across the Internet and has spent more than $1 billion on related acquisitions.

The New York Times

U.S. diplomacy is facing a much more troublesome situation than it did 20 years ago when we were unchallenged as the dominant power in the world.

The New Yorker

"We believe the device is small enough to be worn comfortably and without much notice, while giving our employees a stronger sense of confidence that if they were to find themselves in a difficult or troublesome situation, they could reach out instantly for help".

Huffington Post

He could suggest that she take a self-defense class, which is the suggestion I made to my own daughter a few years ago -- and she did, and gained sufficient self-confidence to handle a few troublesome situations.

Huffington Post

The reason for the troublesome situation is that after-tax money goes into a Roth account, and when a deductible I.R.A. is converted, taxes must be paid based on the account's value on the date of the conversion.

The New York Times

Careful preoperative assessment of hepatic blood supply is the key to perform successful PD even in this troublesome situation.

Surgical Case Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a troublesome situation", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Troublesome" suggests annoyance and difficulty, but not necessarily severe danger. Choose a synonym if the situation is dire or requires immediate action.

Common error

Avoid using "a troublesome situation" when a more serious term like "crisis" or "emergency" is more appropriate. "Troublesome" implies a manageable difficulty, not a catastrophe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a troublesome situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "troublesome" modifies the noun "situation". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a specific state of affairs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a troublesome situation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a problematic or difficult scenario. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources, mainly news and media and scientific publications. While it's suitable for various contexts, avoid using it when a more serious term is needed. Consider synonyms like "difficult situation" or "challenging predicament" for a more formal tone, or "sticky wicket" for an informal register. The phrase is appropriate for general discussions about problems, but specificity can strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficult situation

Focuses on the difficulty aspect, implying challenges to overcome.

a problematic scenario

Highlights the problematic nature, indicating issues that need resolving.

a challenging predicament

Emphasizes the challenge involved, suggesting a test of one's abilities.

an awkward state of affairs

Implies discomfort and potential embarrassment.

a delicate matter

Suggests a need for careful handling to avoid negative consequences.

a sticky wicket

An informal idiom for a tricky or unpleasant situation.

a thorny issue

Highlights the complexity and potential for conflict.

a vexing problem

Emphasizes the frustration and annoyance caused by the situation.

a dire circumstance

Suggests a very serious and urgent situation.

a crisis

Implies a turning point with potentially negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a troublesome situation" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "a difficult situation", "a problematic scenario", or "a challenging predicament".

What are some less formal synonyms for "a troublesome situation"?

Informal options include "a sticky wicket", or simply saying things are "complicated" or "messy".

Is it always necessary to use the article "a" before "troublesome situation"?

In most contexts, yes. "Troublesome situation" without the article "a" is less common and can sound awkward unless used in a headline or title. For example "Nation Faces Troublesome Situation".

How does "a troublesome situation" differ from "a crisis"?

"A troublesome situation" implies a problem causing annoyance and difficulty, while "a crisis" suggests a critical turning point with potentially severe consequences. A crisis is generally more urgent and serious.