cumbersome time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to describe a period that is difficult or burdensome, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The project was delayed, leading to a cumbersome time for the entire team as they struggled to meet the new deadlines."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"The paperwork has become increasingly cumbersome, time consuming and expensive," he said.

The New York Times

Existing screening tools for early detection of autism are expensive, cumbersome, time- intensive, and sometimes fall short in predictive value.

Stanford University

Also, the requirement for blood drawing, transport to the testing lab, blood processing, test execution, and communication of results is cumbersome, time consuming, error prone and costly, which detract from its diagnostic value.

Autoimmunity Highlights

At the time of the vote, Burr said he was not in favor of enacting a large shift in military protocol during a cumbersome time of war, but clarified that he believed such a system of institutionalized discrimination was inherently wrong.

Huffington Post

Polysomnography (PSG) is considered the gold standard but is cumbersome, time consuming, and expensive.

Critical Care

35 Respondents felt that any change to UAT requiring informed consent would be cumbersome, time consuming and costly.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

It was cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive.

The New York Times

If not approached correctly, measurement efforts can quickly become cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive.

Harvard Business Review

It describes the department's financial reimbursement system for contractors as cumbersome, time-consuming and all but incomprehensible.

The New York Times

This cumbersome, time-consuming, and often impossible activity precludes the widespread use of animation in simulation analyses.

Advances in Engineering Software

Frustrated New Yorkers and other victims will have to rely on an array of techniques that can often be costly, cumbersome, time-consuming — and only partially effective.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a period that is difficult or awkward, consider using stronger and more common alternatives like "difficult period" or "challenging time" instead of "cumbersome time" for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome time" in formal or professional writing. Its infrequent usage may detract from the overall clarity and professionalism. Opt for more established phrases like "challenging phase" or "difficult period" to maintain a higher level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome time" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "cumbersome" modifies "time". This attempts to describe a period or moment as being awkward, difficult, or burdensome. As Ludwig explains, this is not a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cumbersome time" is used to describe a period marked by difficulty or awkwardness. While grammatically acceptable, as Ludwig AI acknowledges, its infrequent usage suggests that clearer and more established alternatives like "difficult period" or "challenging time" are often preferred. The phrase appears in news, science and formal business contexts, but writers should consider the audience and opt for more common expressions to enhance clarity and professionalism. When writing, prioritize clarity by choosing commonly used phrases over less familiar ones like "cumbersome time". This ensures your message is easily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onerous period

Replaces "cumbersome" with "onerous", suggesting a heavy or burdensome quality to the time.

difficult phase

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "difficult" and "time" with "phase", focusing on the challenging aspect.

challenging moment

Replaces "cumbersome" with "challenging" and "time" with "moment", emphasizing the demanding nature of a specific instance.

awkward juncture

Uses "awkward" instead of "cumbersome" and "juncture" for "time", highlighting the uncomfortable or clumsy nature of the period.

inconvenient timing

Focuses on the inconvenience associated with the timing, rather than the time itself being inherently cumbersome.

troublesome era

Replaces "cumbersome" with "troublesome" and "time" with "era", suggesting a period marked by difficulties and problems.

complicated stage

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "complicated" and "time" with "stage", emphasizing the complex nature of the period.

unwieldy duration

Replaces "cumbersome" with "unwieldy" and "time" with "duration", focusing on the unmanageable length of a period.

uncomfortable stretch

Uses "uncomfortable" instead of "cumbersome" and "stretch" for "time", highlighting the unpleasant or uneasy nature of the period.

arduous interval

Replaces "cumbersome" with "arduous" and "time" with "interval", emphasizing the strenuous or laborious nature of the period.

FAQs

What does "cumbersome time" mean?

While not a standard phrase, "cumbersome time" suggests a period that is difficult, awkward, or burdensome to deal with. Consider more common alternatives for clarity.

Are there better alternatives to "cumbersome time"?

Yes, phrases like "difficult period", "challenging time", or "awkward phase" are generally clearer and more widely used.

Is "cumbersome time" grammatically incorrect?

No, "cumbersome time" is not grammatically incorrect, but it is an uncommon phrasing. Ludwig AI indicates it's an acceptable phrase, but there are better alternatives.

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

Use "cumbersome" to describe something that is complicated, awkward, or difficult to handle. For example, "The process was too cumbersome and time-consuming". Other correct alternatives that you can use are "difficult time" or "onerous period".