it is problematical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is problematical" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or issue that presents difficulties or challenges. Example: "The proposed solution is problematical, as it does not address the underlying issues effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The digital transformation of sequential data employed is well suited to this sort of global analysis, whereas character-based search tools and diagnostics do not naturally lend themselves to this task, as it is problematical to generate a "mean" sequence representing a group of sequences using characters.

Plosone

However, as noted above, it is problematical whether the increase in the formamide modification is related to cancer.

British Journal of Cancer

It is problematical when the therapist and the researcher are one and the same person and that the respondents are aware that the treatment is to be evaluated.

BMC Women's Health

In addition, it is problematical to take an arithmetic mean of a series that can include values that are negative or infinite.

Evolutionary Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Conversely, the vaccine induces a certain number of adverse reactions, and the duration of the immunity it produces is problematical.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How many of the living cells of an autogenous graft survive when it is transplanted to another region of the body is problematical; however, it is extremely doubtful that a large enough number of these cells retain enough vitality to make any substantial difference in the healing of the graft.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

But air has to be rendered through indirection, and earth is problematical because it has meanings of different depths.

The New York Times

Everyone likes democracy, but democracy is problematical when it comes to the Senate in general and the filibuster in particular.

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

It might seem, however, that the term itself is problematical.

Genome Biology and Evolution

China supplies the world with a lot of those rare earth elements, like neodymium, and will have little or none to export if it moves ahead with its wind power plans…So the source for the West is problematical".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "problematic" or "challenging" for broader audience appeal as "problematical" is less common and could be perceived as overly formal.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "problematical" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "difficult" or "tricky" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is problematical" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a subject as presenting difficulties or being questionable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is problematical" is a grammatically correct way to describe something as difficult or challenging. However, Ludwig AI confirms that it is relatively uncommon, making it potentially less accessible to a broad audience. While mainly encountered in formal contexts like science and news, simpler synonyms like "challenging" or "difficult" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When choosing whether to use this phrase, consider your audience and the desired tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it poses challenges

Focuses on the act of presenting challenges rather than inherent difficulty.

it presents difficulties

Highlights the existence of difficulties instead of describing the problematic nature.

it is challenging

Emphasizes the difficulty involved.

it is difficult

A more common and direct way of expressing something is not easy.

it is troublesome

Indicates that something causes trouble or annoyance.

it is complex

Highlights the complicated nature of something.

it is thorny

Implies a situation is full of difficulties and complexities.

it is intricate

Describes something with many complex parts or details.

it raises concerns

Focuses on the concerns generated by something rather than its difficulty.

it is questionable

Suggests that something is doubtful or uncertain.

FAQs

What does "it is problematical" mean?

The phrase "it is problematical" means that something presents difficulties, challenges, or is questionable in some way.

What can I say instead of "it is problematical"?

You can use alternatives like "it is challenging", "it is difficult", or "it poses challenges" depending on the context.

Is "it is problematical" formal or informal?

The phrase "it is problematical" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

When is it appropriate to use "it is problematical" in writing?

Use "it is problematical" when you want to describe something as inherently difficult or presenting significant challenges, especially in academic, scientific, or formal contexts.