cumbersome to use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome to use" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult or awkward to operate or handle. Example: "The new software is quite cumbersome to use, making it challenging for employees to complete their tasks efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such material, although useful in research settings, is impractical and cumbersome to use in clinical practice.

Archives of Dermatological Research

Part of people's antipathy toward them is that they are often cumbersome to use.

The New York Times

With so many symbols, however, the STIX fonts could be cumbersome to use.

The New York Times - Tech

But most technologies coming to market now are still fairly primitive and cumbersome to use.

The New York Times

What I did notice was that the Canon was cumbersome to use.

The New York Times - Tech

But the system of routing and account numbers used for direct deposit is simply too cumbersome to use for payments.

The New York Times

But some experts say such chemical computers will be slower and more cumbersome to use than are electronic ones.

The New York Times

But transformers attached to power cords are often so big that they are cumbersome to use with power strips.

The New York Times - Tech

I had not had much luck with navigation devices in the United States, finding them cumbersome to use.

The New York Times

But for years its system, and the ones promoted by other providers, was cumbersome to use and lacked a critical mass of hit shows.

The New York Times

The new-generation container ships are too cumbersome to use the Arctic so, as these become more common, the northern route becomes less attractive.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing digital tools or software, specify which aspect is "cumbersome to use". For example, is it the installation process, the user interface, or a specific feature?

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome to use" as a general complaint. Provide specific reasons why something is "cumbersome", such as its complexity, time consumption, or physical difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome to use" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a quality of something, indicating that it is difficult or awkward to operate or handle. Ludwig confirms this usage is common in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cumbersome to use" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something difficult or awkward to operate. As Ludwig demonstrates, this phrase is widely employed across diverse contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains. While versatile, it's most effective when accompanied by specific details about what makes the subject "cumbersome". For clearer communication, consider alternatives such as "difficult to operate" or "awkward to handle", depending on the intended nuance. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use and general acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awkward to handle

Focuses on the physical handling aspect, implying clumsiness.

difficult to operate

Emphasizes the challenge in operating or managing something.

unwieldy to manipulate

Highlights the difficulty in manipulating or controlling something.

challenging to implement

Focuses on the difficulty in putting something into effect.

laborious to employ

Highlights the effort required to use something.

troublesome to manage

Implies that something causes trouble during its use.

tedious to work with

Emphasizes the boring and repetitive nature of using something.

complex to utilize

Highlights the intricate nature, making use difficult.

inconvenient to employ

Stresses the lack of ease and suitability for use.

impractical to apply

Focuses on the lack of practicality in using something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cumbersome to use" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "difficult to operate", "challenging to implement", or "laborious to employ" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What are some situations where something might be described as "cumbersome to use"?

The phrase "cumbersome to use" is often used to describe software, equipment, processes, or methods that are difficult or awkward to operate due to complexity, size, or inefficiency. For instance, legacy systems or outdated technologies are frequently described this way.

Is there a difference between "cumbersome to use" and "difficult to use"?

While both phrases indicate that something is not easy to use, "cumbersome to use" often implies that the difficulty arises from the object's complexity, size, or awkwardness, whereas "difficult to use" is a more general term that may refer to other reasons for the difficulty.

What makes something "cumbersome to use"?

Things can be "cumbersome to use" due to several reasons: excessive steps, unclear instructions, physical bulkiness, slow processing times, or incompatibility with other systems. Essentially, anything that makes the usage process inefficient or frustrating can be described as such.