intractable issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intractable issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe problems or challenges that are difficult or impossible to resolve or manage. Example: "The negotiations stalled due to several intractable issues that both parties could not agree upon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"These are intractable issues," he said.

The New York Times

The seemingly intractable issues are well known.

The New York Times

And, as Tallis argues, there are other, more intractable issues.

The Guardian - Books

"We are making patient progress, but there are long, intractable issues," Enders said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Immigration, diabetes, debt – none of these tough, intractable issues has an obvious answer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet officials on both sides say two seemingly intractable issues remain.

The New York Times

Now complexity lurks behind the most expensive and intractable issues of our age.

The New York Times

New approaches towards intractable issues have become trademarks of Prince Mohammed's brief reign as Crown Prince.

The Guardian

The music industry is gearing up for yet another fight over one of its most intractable issues: radio royalties.

The New York Times

That did not satisfy critics, who said the church was continuing to sidestep the most sensitive and intractable issues that the scandal had raised.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Camp David meeting in July pointed toward progress on a number of previously intractable issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multifaceted challenges that defy easy solutions, use "intractable issues" to convey the depth and complexity of these problems. It's especially effective in contexts like international relations, public policy, or long-standing social problems.

Common error

Avoid using "intractable issues" for everyday problems that have straightforward solutions. Save it for truly complex situations where multiple factors contribute to the difficulty in finding a resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intractable issues" functions as a noun phrase, where "intractable" modifies the noun "issues". It characterizes the issues as being particularly difficult to resolve or manage. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is frequently used to describe complex and persistent problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intractable issues" is a phrase used to describe complex problems that are extremely difficult to resolve. As noted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical usage is correct and it appears frequently across various professional contexts, including news media, science, and business. While alternatives like "unsolvable problems" or "unmanageable difficulties" exist, "intractable issues" is particularly useful for highlighting the long-standing and deeply rooted nature of these challenges. When writing, it’s best to reserve this phrase for situations where the complexity truly warrants it, avoiding overuse in simple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsolvable problems

Focuses on the impossibility of finding a solution.

unmanageable difficulties

Emphasizes the inability to effectively handle the situation.

insurmountable obstacles

Highlights the idea that these issues present barriers that cannot be overcome.

hopeless cases

Conveys a sense of futility and lack of optimism.

persistent dilemmas

Underscores the continuing nature of the problems without resolution.

challenging predicaments

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of the situations.

complex quandaries

Emphasizes the intricate and puzzling nature of the issues.

thorny subjects

Suggests that the topics are sensitive and potentially contentious.

difficult impasses

Focuses on the state of deadlock and the hardship in making progress.

complicated matters

Indicates that the situations are intricate and hard to understand.

FAQs

What does "intractable issues" mean?

The phrase "intractable issues" refers to problems or difficulties that are extremely difficult or impossible to solve or manage due to their complexity and deeply rooted nature.

How can I use "intractable issues" in a sentence?

You can use "intractable issues" to describe long-standing, complex problems. For example, "The peace talks failed to address the "intractable issues" that have plagued the region for decades."

What are some alternatives to "intractable issues"?

Some alternatives to "intractable issues" include "unsolvable problems", "unmanageable difficulties", or "insurmountable obstacles".

What makes an issue "intractable"?

An issue becomes "intractable" when it is deeply entrenched, involves numerous conflicting interests, and resists simple solutions. These issues often require long-term, multifaceted approaches.