being problematic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being problematic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, behavior, or issue that causes difficulties or challenges. Example: "The new policy is being problematic for many employees, leading to confusion and frustration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But satellite-based data services have a reputation for being problematic.

The New York Times - Tech

His postmodernist aesthetic, however, is not of the sort that revels in being problematic for its own sake.

The Guardian - Books

With the political situation throughout the world being problematic, inclusion of information about the politics of a region is an invaluable help.

The New York Times

Preliminary data suggest that sometimes postmenopausal women do not regard sexual changes as being problematic often readjusting their life and relationship according to their new physical status.

Sexologies

So, simple claims about polarization per se being problematic or polarization itself being the explanation for Congress's inability to solve problems oversimplify the historical reality.

The Washington Post

"That sense of fear and awe and being problematic in terms of being involved in death is very much the same feeling people get when they see hawks.

The Guardian - Books

Lewis said, "I will always find a defense for characters, and that's why it's fun playing characters that are morally ambiguous, or are at least perceived superficially as being problematic".

The New Yorker

As attention is being focused increasingly towards minimising carbon emissions and enhancing the possibly of material recycling in the construction industry, traditional composite systems are recognised as being problematic on several counts.

Procedia Engineering

Evidence from dollarised Latin American countries suggests that far from being problematic, this constraint reduces moral hazard within the financial system and forces banks to be prudent, significantly improving the overall quality of the country's financial institutions.

The Guardian

Furthermore, Battisti et al. ([2010]) identified several distractors as being problematic.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Overall, qualitative storylines are perceived as being problematic in terms of consistency.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing specific situations, consider replacing "being problematic" with more precise language that captures the exact nature of the difficulty, such as "causing delays" or "creating inconsistencies".

Common error

Avoid using "being problematic" as a catch-all phrase. If something is "being problematic", specify how it's problematic to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "the software is being problematic", specify "the software is causing data loss".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being problematic" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as causing difficulties or issues. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, describing situations, objects, or behaviors that present challenges. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being problematic" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that causes difficulties or raises concerns. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various contexts. While alternatives like "posing challenges" or "raising concerns" may offer more precision, "being problematic" serves as a useful general term. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying how something is problematic to enhance your writing's impact and informativeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating issues

A more direct way of stating that problems are being generated.

posing challenges

Focuses on the act of creating difficulties rather than the state of being difficult.

presenting difficulties

Emphasizes the action of introducing problems.

raising concerns

Highlights the aspect of causing worry or unease.

proving troublesome

Highlights the experience of dealing with something difficult.

causing trouble

A more informal way of saying something is creating problems.

generating complications

Focuses on the creation of complex problems.

becoming unwieldy

Suggests a loss of control due to increasing problems.

turning sour

Implies a situation is deteriorating and becoming problematic.

fostering discord

Emphasizes the promotion of disagreement and conflict.

FAQs

What does "being problematic" mean?

The phrase "being problematic" describes a situation, person, or thing that is causing problems, difficulties, or raising concerns.

What can I say instead of "being problematic"?

You can use alternatives like "posing challenges", "raising concerns", or "creating issues" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "being problematic" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "being problematic" might be seen as somewhat informal in very formal writing. Consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives to maintain a professional tone. For example "presenting difficulties".

How can I make my writing more specific when using "being problematic"?

Instead of just stating something is "being problematic", elaborate on why it's causing issues. For instance, instead of "the project is being problematic", specify "the project is being problematic due to resource constraints".