has been problematic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been problematic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, issue, or behavior that has caused difficulties or challenges over a period of time. Example: "The implementation of the new policy has been problematic, leading to confusion among staff members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it has been problematic.

The Economist

Robert said the Crumb name has been problematic for Jesse.

The New York Times - Arts

That has been problematic for me," she added.

The Guardian

His case has been problematic almost since he was captured.

The New Yorker

But for Microsoft, just doing the basics has been problematic.

The New York Times

Southwark accepts the regeneration project has been problematic.

The Guardian

No doubt this has been problematic for Democrats.

The Washington Post

The violin's sweet sound has been problematic sometimes.

The New York Times - Arts

However, interpretation of this data has been problematic.

Handbook of Cell Signaling

However, measuring the use of green space has been problematic.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Analyzing cryocooler reliability has been problematic from the beginning.

Cryogenics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "has been problematic" in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "has been challenging" or "has presented difficulties" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is to state that something "has been problematic" without explaining why. Always follow this phrase with details about the issues encountered to provide clarity and avoid vague statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been problematic" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that something has caused issues or difficulties over a period. This descriptive function is supported by the many examples of the phrase being used in Ludwig to highlight issues in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been problematic" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe situations or processes that have consistently caused difficulties or issues. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. While the phrase is most commonly found in science, news & media, and academia, it is essential to provide specific details about the problems encountered to ensure clarity. When writing, consider alternative phrases like "has been challenging" or "has presented difficulties" to avoid repetition. Remember to avoid vagueness, as making a generic claim of something is "problematic" is not helpful without supporting evidence. Overall, this phrase is useful to indicate an issue, but specificity and careful word choice are critical to communicate in the best way possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been challenging

Indicates difficulties but with a sense of overcoming them, less negative than "has been problematic".

has presented difficulties

More formal and emphasizes the difficulties as something that appeared.

has posed issues

Highlights the issues or problems that have arisen, focusing on the problems themselves.

has been troublesome

Implies annoyance or irritation caused by the problem.

has been difficult

A general term for something not being easy or straightforward, less specific than "has been problematic".

has encountered obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles that have been met, implying a journey or process.

has given rise to complications

Highlights the development of further issues as a result.

has not been without its problems

Understates the issues, suggesting they exist but aren't overwhelming.

has proven unwieldy

Suggests the situation has become hard to manage or control.

has suffered setbacks

Emphasizes temporary delays or reversals in progress.

FAQs

What does "has been problematic" mean?

The phrase "has been problematic" indicates that something has caused difficulties, issues, or challenges over a period of time. It suggests a situation or process has not gone smoothly.

What can I say instead of "has been problematic"?

You can use alternatives like "has been challenging", "has presented difficulties", or "has posed issues" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "has been problematic"?

Use "has been problematic" when you want to describe a situation, process, or thing that has consistently caused difficulties or issues over a period of time. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "has been problematic" and "was problematic"?

"Has been problematic" implies that the issues have persisted over a period leading up to the present, while "was problematic" suggests the issues occurred in the past but may no longer be ongoing.