it can be problematical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be problematical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or issue that may present difficulties or complications. Example: "While the new policy aims to improve efficiency, it can be problematical for employees who are not familiar with the changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While this is understandable, given the need to act and make a difference, and thus reduce complexities to concrete activities ("Let's get on, we're doing responsible development, we're OK"), it can be problematical, already because of the lock-ins (i.e. path dependencies) while society (and technology) change.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is well accepted that the initial processing of mycobacterial samples can be problematical compared to eukaryotic cells.

BMC Veterinary Research

It has been noted previously that reproducing reported R values for low-resolution structures can be problematical [8]. Figure 9A shows a superposition of the Cα backbones for refined models of an αβ-tubulin heterodimer, while Figure 9B focuses on the region of the bound colchicine.

Plosone

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

It has been suggested that the clinical interpretation of 'broad-range' 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing results can be problematical e.g. the protocol has the potential to detect all bacterial DNA present in a given clinical sample, including non-viable or even degraded organisms.

Plosone

However, our figure is higher than the 3.5 7.3% incidence suggested in a systematic review [4]; this may be explained by the fact that pooling data from ADR studies with different designs can be problematical [23], [24] as illustrated by the widely differing estimates of ADR incidence determined in different studies in different populations (from 0.86% [25], to 37% [26]).

Plosone

Developing lepidopteran microsatellite DNA markers can be problematical, as markers often exhibit multiple banding patterns and high frequencies of non-amplifying "null" alleles.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

"You're assuming every market would take it," Palansky said, "but it would be problematical in those secondary markets.

The New York Times

It may prove to be problematical.

The New York Times - Sports

This can be especially problematical for rare alleles, which typically dominate polymorphic sites.

Genome Biology and Evolution

And purchasing a watch on eBay could be problematical, because it is often unclear who the seller is.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it can be problematical", ensure the context is clear. Specify what 'it' refers to and what kind of problems might arise. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it can be problematical" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it can be tricky" or "it can be difficult" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be problematical" functions as a comment on a situation or action, suggesting potential difficulties or complications. Ludwig indicates it's a grammatically sound way to express that something might present problems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it can be problematical" is a grammatically sound way to express potential difficulties or complications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's more common in formal and scientific contexts, although it appears in news media as well. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context is clear and specify what 'it' refers to. If you prefer more casual alternatives, consider phrases like "it can be tricky" or "it can be difficult".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be challenging

Replaces 'problematical' with 'challenging', softening the tone slightly.

it can be difficult

Uses 'difficult' instead of 'problematical', providing a more common and straightforward alternative.

it can be troublesome

Substitutes 'problematical' with 'troublesome', highlighting the potential for causing problems.

it can present difficulties

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the difficulties that may arise.

it can pose a problem

Uses 'pose a problem' instead of 'be problematical', emphasizing the existence of an issue.

it may be problematic

Changes 'can be' to 'may be' and 'problematical' to 'problematic', indicating a possibility rather than a certainty.

it might be troublesome

Combines 'might be' with 'troublesome', suggesting a potential for minor issues.

it could be complicated

Replaces 'problematical' with 'complicated', focusing on the complexity of the situation.

it has potential drawbacks

Shifts the focus to potential negative aspects or disadvantages.

it may give rise to issues

Emphasizes the possibility of issues arising as a consequence.

FAQs

What does "it can be problematical" mean?

The phrase "it can be problematical" means that something has the potential to cause problems or difficulties. It suggests that there are challenges or complications associated with a particular situation or course of action.

What are some alternatives to "it can be problematical"?

Alternatives to "it can be problematical" include phrases like "it can be challenging", "it can be difficult", "it can be troublesome", or "it may pose a problem". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

How formal is the phrase "it can be problematical"?

"It can be problematical" leans toward the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives such as "it can be tricky" or "it can be difficult" may be more appropriate.

Can you give me an example of how to use "it can be problematical" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "While the new strategy aims to improve efficiency, "it can be problematical" for employees unfamiliar with the technology."