has proven nettlesome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has proven nettlesome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that has been troublesome or difficult to deal with over time. Example: "The new policy has proven nettlesome for many employees, leading to confusion and frustration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That pledge has proven nettlesome.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The system had proved nettlesome before.

The New York Times - Sports

Numbers, which are supposed to be the sine qua non of Mr. Bloomberg's management style, have proved nettlesome.

The New York Times

Charters play a prominent role in a national education agenda for change that includes more rigorous teacher evaluations and challenges to union seniority, issues that have proved nettlesome in these negotiations.

The New York Times

On July 14 , 13Turkish soldiers were killed in a clash with guerrillas in Diyarbakir Province, and the issue of rights for the Kurdish minority has proven almost as nettlesome as Mr. Erdogan's contest with the military.

The New York Times

There are the striking television and movie screenwriters: Many issues continue to deprive a hungry nation of its nightly "Colbert Report," but one has proved particularly nettlesome — how to divide electronic rights (not to mention advertising rates) in an age when people watch shows on their iPods, and YouTube competes for attention with CBS.

The New York Times

"Science has proven it.

The New York Times

He has proven results.

The New York Times

This has proven fraught.

The Economist

This has proven controversial.

The Economist

ITER has proven otherwise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase readability and engagement, provide specific examples of why something "has proven nettlesome". Don't just state that a policy is difficult; explain the tangible ways in which it has caused problems or inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "has proven nettlesome" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase's formality can sound unnatural in relaxed settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "has been a pain" or "has been tricky".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proven nettlesome" functions as a verb phrase complemented by an adjective. It describes a state or condition that has evolved into being troublesome or problematic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has proven nettlesome" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that has become troublesome over time. Ludwig AI validates its usability, particularly in formal and semi-formal contexts like news and media. While effective for expressing evolving difficulties, it's less suitable for informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Related phrases include "has become troublesome" and "has presented difficulties". The phrase is more about unexpected difficulties, so if something has been difficult from the beginning, you may need a different phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has turned out to be problematic

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the problem.

has become troublesome

Focuses on the increasing difficulty over time.

has presented difficulties

Highlights the challenges posed by something.

has created complications

Suggests the introduction of new issues.

has given rise to challenges

Indicates that something has caused difficulties.

has been more difficult than expected

Highlights the difference between expectation and reality.

has posed a problem

Directly states the existence of an issue.

has not been easy

Understates the difficulty involved.

has evolved into a hassle

Emphasizes the irritating nature of the issue.

has become thorny

Uses a metaphor to describe the challenging nature.

FAQs

How can I use "has proven nettlesome" in a sentence?

Use "has proven nettlesome" to describe a situation or issue that started well but has become problematic over time. For example: "The new software update "has proven nettlesome" for many users."

What are some alternatives to "has proven nettlesome"?

You can use alternatives like "has become troublesome", "has presented difficulties", or "has turned out to be problematic" depending on the context.

Is "has proven nettlesome" formal or informal?

"Has proven nettlesome" is considered a formal phrase. It is more appropriate for professional writing, academic papers, or official communications, while "has become a hassle" is considered informal.

What's the difference between "has proven nettlesome" and "has been difficult"?

"Has proven nettlesome" suggests that something started out seemingly manageable but has since become troublesome. "Has been difficult" simply indicates that something has been challenging from the start.