at a problematic level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at a problematic level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is causing issues or difficulties to a significant extent. Example: "The project's delays are occurring at a problematic level, impacting our overall timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's at a problematic level and worsening".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On a more problematic level, the board needed to present a concrete proposal to its membership.

Los Angeles Times

But Ye took the exchange to a really problematic level.

Huffington Post

That question is either trivial or profound, depending on the level at which one enters the debate; at the highest and most problematic level, the question is whether religion is entitled to a seat at the public-benefit table as a matter of federal constitutional law, despite the many state constitutions that prohibit taxpayer money from going directly to churches.

The New York Times

In a review of studies that examined e-cigarette mist, Drexel University environmental and occupational health expert Igor Burstyn concluded that "while these compounds are present, they have been detected at problematic levels only in a few studies that apparently were based on unrealistic levels of heating".

Los Angeles Times

4 At problematic levels, gambling has far reaching consequences, and has been described as a global public health concern, with various personal, interpersonal and community level consequences.

BMJ Open

The report assessed 11 deforestation hotspots, where broadscale clearing had occurred at problematic levels since 2010, and where deforestation was expected to continue in the next decade.

The Guardian

At Mar-a-Lago, the attendance of various VIPs adds another problematic level.

The Washington Post

Unconscious, implicit associations or stereotypes create a problematic, non-level playing field for job seekers.

Harvard Business Review

But the fragmentation of the NHS, problematic at a local level, also applies higher up the convoluted hierarchy.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Will it hit problematic levels in 2010?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a problematic level", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a problem and why the current level is concerning. Provide specific details to support your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "at a problematic level" without specifying what the problem is. Clearly state the issue and its impact to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a problematic level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to describe the extent or degree to which something is problematic. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a situation causing significant issues.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a problematic level" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes a situation or condition causing significant issues or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, be specific about the nature of the problem and its impact. Alternative phrases such as "at a troublesome degree" or "to a concerning extent" can be used to convey similar meanings. The phrase generally has a neutral tone, making it suitable for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at a troublesome degree

Replaces "problematic" with "troublesome", emphasizing the difficulty caused.

at a worrying stage

Substitutes "problematic" with "worrying", highlighting concern.

at a critical point

Changes "problematic" to "critical", indicating urgency.

at a difficult magnitude

Replaces "level" with "magnitude" and "problematic" with "difficult" altering the intensity.

to a concerning extent

Changes "at a problematic level" to "to a concerning extent", using a different grammatical structure to convey similar meaning.

at an unacceptable threshold

Uses "unacceptable" instead of "problematic", indicating a violation of standards.

at a detrimental scale

Replaces "problematic" with "detrimental" and "level" with "scale", focusing on negative impact.

at a disadvantageous rate

Uses "disadvantageous" instead of "problematic", specifying the type of issue.

at an alarming frequency

Replaces "problematic" with "alarming" and "level" with "frequency", focusing on repetition of the issue.

at a complicating intensity

Substitutes "problematic" with "complicating", highlighting the added complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "at a problematic level" in a sentence?

Use "at a problematic level" to describe situations where an issue has reached a concerning degree. For instance, "The project's delays are occurring "at a problematic level", impacting our overall timeline".

What are some alternatives to "at a problematic level"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "at a troublesome degree", "to a concerning extent", or "at a critical point".

Is it better to say "at a problematic level" or "at a concerning level"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "at a concerning level" might sound slightly less severe than "at a problematic level". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of concern you want to express.

What does "at a problematic level" imply?

The phrase ""at a problematic level"" implies that a situation or condition has reached a point where it is causing significant issues, difficulties, or concerns that need to be addressed.