has been problematical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been problematical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that has been difficult or challenging over a period of time. Example: "The implementation of the new policy has been problematical, leading to confusion among staff members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This has been problematical in the past.

BMC Family Practice

However, the selection of markers used in the diagnosis of NED has been problematical.

BioMed Research International

However, rigorous testing of this hypothesis has been problematical because the cell wall is normally an essential structure.

Current Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For example, in "It's a Great Life," directed by the decidedly nonadventurous Sam Wood, one of the Duncan sisters suddenly "hears" the other calling her name from her sickbed in another city, a blatantly nonnaturalistic use of sound that would have been problematical just a year later.

The New York Times

This has been particularly problematical in species in which helpers do not appear to increase reproduction (Cockburn 1998).

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

This target class has been previously shown to be problematical for in silico target prediction due to the promiscuity of the targets [39].

Journal of Cheminformatics

It has been pointed out that early morphological studies were erroneous; using skeletons from stuffed specimens can be problematical, as early taxidermists sometimes used donkey and horse skulls inside their mounts when the originals were unavailable.

Wikipedia

Comparing species richness with functional richness is less problematical when the degrees of freedom are the same and this has been done several times in the literature [38], [39], [40], [41], [42].

Plosone

The Miramax version has, if memory serves, a bit less of the broad comedy that is always problematical for Western viewers of Hong Kong films, and the original synthesizer score has been replaced by a symphonic accompaniment.

The New York Times

General budget support is also problematical when the donor disagrees with policies of the recipient government such as Rwanda, which has been criticised for supporting the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Guardian

Bradley Wiggins, whose return to competitive track cycling resulted in him winning the men's pursuit with his Great Britain A team-mates Steven Burke, Owain Doull and Clancy on Friday evening – and was fined around 200 Swiss Francs, or about £130, for not attending the presentation – said the readjustment had not been problematical.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been problematical", consider your audience. While grammatically correct, it may sound slightly formal or archaic to some. Choose a more common synonym like "difficult" or "challenging" if aiming for broader accessibility.

Common error

Avoid using "problematical" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in everyday contexts. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives like "tricky" or "difficult" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been problematical" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something has presented difficulties or challenges over a period of time. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s grammatically correct and found in various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been problematical" is a grammatically sound way to describe something that has been causing difficulties. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, while correct, it is less common than alternatives such as "difficult" or "challenging", and leans towards a more formal and scientific tone. Therefore, context matters: consider your audience and the overall tone you wish to convey when choosing between "has been problematical" and its more frequently used synonyms. Remember that alternatives like "has been challenging" and "has been difficult" may offer broader appeal and comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been challenging

Replaces "problematical" with a more common and slightly less formal term, focusing on the demanding nature of the situation.

has been difficult

A more general substitute, indicating hardship or obstacles encountered.

has been troublesome

Suggests the situation has caused annoyance or difficulty, emphasizing the negative impact.

has been complicated

Highlights the complexity and intricacy of the issue, implying difficulty in understanding or resolving it.

has presented difficulties

Shifts the focus to the act of presenting challenges, rather than the inherent nature of the situation.

has posed problems

Similar to "presented difficulties" but more concise, highlighting the creation of obstacles.

has been thorny

Uses a metaphorical term to describe a situation filled with hidden difficulties and potential for conflict.

has been awkward

Highlights the uncomfortable or clumsy nature of the situation.

has been delicate

Implies the situation requires careful handling to avoid negative consequences, emphasizing its sensitivity.

has been sticky

Suggests a situation that is hard to get out of or resolve, often with unpleasant consequences.

FAQs

What does "has been problematical" mean?

The phrase "has been problematical" means that something has been causing problems or difficulties over a period of time. It suggests that the issue has been challenging to deal with or resolve.

What are some alternatives to "has been problematical"?

You can use alternatives like "has been difficult", "has been challenging", or "has been troublesome" depending on the context. These options are generally more common in contemporary English.

Is "has been problematical" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been problematical" is grammatically correct. However, it's less frequently used in modern English compared to its synonyms. As Ludwig AI highlights, it appears in various formal contexts, but consider your audience when choosing it.

How can I use "has been problematical" in a sentence?

You can use "has been problematical" to describe a situation or aspect that has consistently posed difficulties. For example, "The implementation of the new system has been problematical, requiring frequent adjustments."