cumbersome reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is difficult to manage or navigate due to its complexity or burden. Example: "The cumbersome reality of the new regulations has left many businesses struggling to adapt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Wachowskis, however, had to avoid the cumbersome reality of having characters running around with egg-shaped objects in their pockets; it had never crossed Mitchell's mind that that could be a problem.

The New Yorker

Perhaps it was merely the representation of an old Hollywood system waking up to a new and cumbersome reality.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there have always been anomalies, films that use slower, more cumbersome methods to contemplate reality.

The New York Times

The message of the government's latest fusillade of initiatives is that local leadership is "too cumbersome, too remote from reality".

The Guardian

I regularly found myself squeezed uncomfortably between the wish to react rapidly to reasonable public demands for action and the reality of cumbersome decision-making in government, stuck between the politics of a digital age and the analogue arrangements of Whitehall.

The Guardian

Waypoint Waypoint substitutes cumbersome training documents with augmented reality glasses that help frontline workers — particularly those who work in manual tasks like advanced manufacturing — rapidly capture, access, and scale knowledge.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The equipment of virtual reality sex is cumbersome.

Vice

The promise: shopping experiences that would be more immersive than regular online shopping and more realistic than virtual reality, all without requiring cumbersome headsets.

MIT Technology Review

And finally, augmented reality systems are still too cumbersome.

MIT Technology Review

In particular, researchers seemed to be struggling with ways to throw off the cumbersome goggles and gloves that early virtual reality devices utilized.

The New York Times

Causes for concern include the early disappointments in new technologies like Wireless Application Protocol that are supposed to allow individuals to easily connect to the Internet from their mobile phones, but in reality have been slow and cumbersome to use.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cumbersome reality" when you want to emphasize not only the difficulty but also the factual or real nature of a burdensome situation. This highlights both the problem and its undeniable existence.

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome reality" when a simpler term like "difficult situation" would suffice. Overly complex phrasing can obscure your meaning rather than clarifying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome reality" functions as a noun phrase, where "cumbersome" modifies the noun "reality". It denotes a state of affairs or situation that is both factually true and difficult or awkward to manage. As Ludwig AI underlines, its use can be helpful when emphasizing the weight of certain aspects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Cumbersome reality" is a phrase used to describe a difficult or awkward situation that stems from an undeniable fact. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct but relatively rare, primarily appearing in News & Media contexts. When writing, consider whether the nuance of a factual burden is essential, or if a simpler phrase like "difficult situation" might be more appropriate. Related alternatives include "burdensome truth" and "awkward reality". While perfectly valid, ensure its usage adds value to your writing rather than sounding overly complex.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdensome truth

Focuses on the truth aspect while highlighting the burden it carries.

awkward reality

Highlights the uncomfortable or embarrassing nature of the reality.

inconvenient truth

Emphasizes the lack of convenience associated with the factual situation.

difficult situation

Broader in scope, focusing on the problematic nature of the situation rather than its factual basis.

complex situation

Focuses on the intricacy and entanglement of the situation rather than its burden.

problematic fact

Highlights that the fact is causing problems or difficulties.

troublesome state of affairs

Refers to a condition that is causing trouble or difficulty.

complicated reality

Focuses on the intricate and multi-layered nature of the reality.

onerous truth

Emphasizes the oppressive or burdensome aspect of the truth.

challenging reality

Presents the reality as something that requires significant effort to overcome or deal with.

FAQs

How can I use "cumbersome reality" in a sentence?

You can use "cumbersome reality" to describe a difficult situation that is also an undeniable fact. For example, "The Wachowskis, however, had to avoid the "cumbersome reality" of having characters running around with egg-shaped objects in their pockets."

What are some alternatives to "cumbersome reality"?

Alternatives include "burdensome truth", "awkward reality", or "inconvenient truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cumbersome reality" a formal or informal phrase?

"Cumbersome reality" leans towards a more formal register due to the word "cumbersome". Simpler alternatives might be more suitable for informal contexts.

What is the difference between "cumbersome reality" and "difficult situation"?

"Cumbersome reality" implies that the difficulty arises from a fact or reality, while "difficult situation" is a broader term that doesn't necessarily emphasize the factual basis of the problem.