cumbersome design

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome design" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a design that is awkward, unwieldy, or difficult to use or manage. Example: "The new software update features a cumbersome design that makes navigation frustrating for users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Even with their prototype's cumbersome design, the researchers were able to write applications for it and gather user responses from a small group.

MIT Technology Review

The use of universal primers simplified the cumbersome design and optimization process of specific primers in traditional methods.

Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry

Consumer electronics manufacturers have, for the most part, kept a fairly low profile in the debate, wanting neither to be burdened with cumbersome design specifications nor to upset the powerful content industry, which is the chief proponent of the flag.

The New York Times - Tech

Also in 1850, after a cumbersome design had been officially accepted by the Great Exhibition's organizers, Paxton's inspired plan for a building of prefabricated elements of sheet glass and iron was substituted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike the Metropolitan Opera's in-progress production of "The Ring" directed by Robert Lepage, which has so far alienated many audience members by emphasizing cumbersome design concepts over the storytelling, Ms. Zambello "tells the story straight," said Steven Sokolow, president of the Wagner Society of Northern California, one of around 150 fan clubs dedicated to the composer around the world.

The New York Times

These results clearly suggest a potential for the development of anti-idiotypic affibody-based resins for efficient recovery of related variants of a target protein that might have altered biochemical properties, thus avoiding the cumbersome design of specific recovery schemes for each variant of a target protein.

Protein Expression and Purification

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Most of the individual patient portals that people use today have cumbersome designs, create more work, and have different user interfaces at every institution.

Harvard Business Review

The manual also sheds light on how cumbersome the design process for development or renovation has been, given the number of agencies or entities normally involved.

The New York Times

The complex air-termination system, as a part of the external LPS of HV substation, is known to be cumbersome to design using traditional techniques, where optimisation is often relegated to the trial-and-error approach.

Journal of Electrostatics

Robert Carswell, deputy secretary of the Treasury, acknowledged that the present system of three bank regulatory agencies is "cumbersome in design". He said "if you were starting it today, you wouldn't do it this way". But, he said, the "question is where tearing it apart" will do any good.

The Washington Post

As will be discussed in this chapter, such an assumption may be justified for isotropic materials, but it will be demonstrated that end effects decay at a much slower rate in high-modulus fiber composite material specimens than in their isotropic counterparts, making evaluation of anisotropic moduli cumbersome, and design of test procedures and specimens a critical issue for composites.

Comprehensive Composite Materials II

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing user interfaces or software, use "cumbersome design" to convey that the interface is difficult to navigate or use. For example, "The application suffers from a "cumbersome design", making it frustrating for new users."

Common error

While "cumbersome design" is appropriate for formal and technical writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "clunky" or "awkward" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome design" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "cumbersome" modifies the noun "design". This highlights a specific attribute or characteristic of the design. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

57%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

7%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cumbersome design" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to critique designs that are awkward, difficult to use, or inefficient. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to consider the context and audience when using it, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news media and scientific contexts. Common alternatives include "clumsy design" and "awkward design".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clumsy design

Replaces "cumbersome" with "clumsy", suggesting a lack of grace or finesse in the design.

awkward design

Uses "awkward" instead of "cumbersome", implying an ungainly or uncomfortable design.

unwieldy design

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "unwieldy", highlighting the difficulty in handling or using the design.

complicated design

Replaces "cumbersome" with "complicated", focusing on the design's complexity and difficulty to understand or use.

complex design

Similar to "complicated design", but emphasizes the intricate and potentially confusing nature of the design.

difficult design

Replaces "cumbersome" with "difficult", directly addressing the challenge involved in implementing or using the design.

troublesome design

Uses "troublesome" to suggest that the design causes problems or difficulties.

inefficient design

Focuses on the lack of efficiency in the design, implying that it's slow or wasteful.

laborious design

Highlights the effort and time required to work with the design.

impractical design

Indicates that the design is not well-suited for real-world use or application.

FAQs

What does "cumbersome design" mean?

The phrase "cumbersome design" refers to a design that is awkward, unwieldy, difficult to use, or inefficient. It implies that the design is not user-friendly or easy to manage.

What can I say instead of "cumbersome design"?

You can use alternatives like "clumsy design", "awkward design", or "unwieldy design", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cumbersome design" a negative term?

Yes, "cumbersome design" generally carries a negative connotation, indicating that the design is problematic and needs improvement. It suggests that the design hinders efficiency and ease of use.

How can I improve a "cumbersome design"?

To improve a "cumbersome design", focus on simplifying the user interface, streamlining processes, and making the design more intuitive and user-friendly. User testing can provide valuable insights.