big inconvenience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "big inconvenience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that causes significant trouble or difficulty. Example: "The sudden cancellation of the flight was a big inconvenience for all the passengers who had connecting flights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He doesn't want to think about anything inconvenient, and the mammoth is a big inconvenience.

The New Yorker

"It's a big inconvenience," he said.

The New York Times

"This is a big inconvenience for me.

BBC

It's not a big inconvenience, and it sends an important message to those thinking about cheating".

The Guardian

She called her attendance a "big inconvenience" -- an assessment she later sought to retract.

The New York Times

"This [the summons to testify] is a big inconvenience for me.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

This is becoming the biggest inconvenience.

The New York Times

If past is prologue, delays will be the biggest inconvenience this summer, too.

The New York Times

"But the biggest inconvenience was the lack of running water," Gordon noted.

The New Yorker

Arguably the biggest inconvenience will be for riders of the M10, which normally runs south down Seventh Avenue, circles around the Garden at 31st Street and heads back up Eighth Avenue.

The New York Times

We know we're lucky if working from home is our biggest inconvenience post-Sandy.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "big inconvenience" to describe situations that cause notable but not catastrophic difficulty. It's suitable when something disrupts routine or plans without causing severe harm.

Common error

Avoid using "big inconvenience" for truly serious issues. Reserve it for situations that are primarily disruptive rather than deeply impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big inconvenience" functions as a noun phrase, where "big" modifies the noun "inconvenience". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, describing something that causes trouble or difficulty. Examples found by Ludwig show it describing disruptions to daily routines and plans.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "big inconvenience" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that causes notable disruption without being catastrophic. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's frequently used in news and media to express annoyance or frustration about disrupted routines or plans. While versatile, it's important to avoid overstating the severity of a situation by using it for truly critical issues. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "major disruption" or "substantial difficulty". The key is to use "big inconvenience" when something disrupts normal activity without implying severe consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major hassle

Suggests a difficult and bothersome experience.

major headache

Focuses on the frustrating and bothersome aspect.

major disruption

Emphasizes the disruptive aspect more strongly than inconvenience.

real pain

Informal way of expressing the bothersome nature.

considerable nuisance

Focuses on the irritating aspect of the situation.

significant setback

Highlights the hindrance or delay caused.

grave annoyance

Stresses the level of irritation or displeasure.

substantial difficulty

Highlights the level of trouble caused.

notable disturbance

Emphasizes the interruption or disruption.

serious problem

Indicates a more severe issue than a mere inconvenience.

FAQs

How can I use "big inconvenience" in a sentence?

You can use "big inconvenience" to describe situations causing significant trouble or difficulty. For instance, "The road closure was a "big inconvenience" for commuters".

What are some alternatives to "big inconvenience"?

Alternatives include "major hassle", "considerable nuisance", or "significant setback", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "big inconvenience" in formal writing?

While "big inconvenience" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "substantial difficulty" or "major disruption" might be more suitable for highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "big inconvenience" and "serious problem"?

"Big inconvenience" refers to a disruptive but not necessarily critical issue, while "serious problem" implies a more severe and potentially damaging situation.