it looks problematic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it looks problematic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing concern or doubt about a situation, issue, or piece of information that appears to have difficulties or complications. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, it looks problematic due to the lack of supporting data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If the ideal calls on us to tear down and completely restructure the social life of modern industrial democracies, it looks problematic.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that sticky embrace looks problematic now.

The Guardian

Its banks had barely dabbled in subprime mortgages when America's housing market imploded.That caution, widely seen as a virtue during the financial crisis, now looks problematic in a recovery that is at risk of choking.

The Economist

Incidentally, as the Mancunian rivals are "paired" for policing reasons, United enjoy six post-European home matches, though doubtless Sir Alex Ferguson will moan that every Champions League fixture is preceded by an away match, though only the October week which sandwiches a European tie between Liverpool (away) and Manchester City (home) looks problematic.

Independent

Perhaps even more importantly for ABP, the core premise of its business model — i.e. the notion that some ads are acceptable — looks problematic on mobile too.

TechCrunch

Accepting an invitation from Floyd, who has had domestic abuse issues against women in the past, looks problematic to some people.

Huffington Post

That in itself looked problematic, with a dangerous-looking kink in the road at that point, but as the riders began their sprint, the bus was moved and the finish line restored.

BBC

While Merrill was scrambling to reduce its exposures, worsening conditions in late July shut down the market for even the highest-rated collateralized debt obligations, making it clear that Merrill's position was starting to look problematic, this person said.

The New York Times

In another instance, Facebook's mass closing of what it described as "fake accounts" ahead of, for example, the UK and French elections can also look problematic, in democratic terms, because we don't fully know how it identified the particular "tens of thousands" of accounts to close.

TechCrunch

Before the seventh, only one ball looked problematic: a soft grounder by Mitch Moreland toward second base.

The New York Times - Sports

That can be taken as evidence of satisfaction with the process.Yet a protracted vote does look problematic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it looks problematic" when you want to express a preliminary assessment of a situation that seems to have potential issues or negative consequences. It implies a need for further investigation or caution.

Common error

While generally acceptable, relying too heavily on "it looks problematic" can make your writing sound less sophisticated. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "it presents challenges" or "it raises concerns" to convey a more nuanced assessment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it looks problematic" is to serve as a subjective assessment, expressing an opinion or evaluation about a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it communicates a perceived difficulty or potential issue. It uses a linking verb to connect the subject to a descriptive adjective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it looks problematic" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey concern or doubt about a particular situation. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, indicating its versatility. While suitable for general use, more formal alternatives like "it presents challenges" or "it raises concerns" might be preferred in certain contexts. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a preliminary assessment, suggesting a need for further scrutiny or a cautious approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems troublesome

Replaces 'problematic' with 'troublesome', focusing on the difficulty a problem causes.

it appears challenging

Uses 'challenging' to convey the difficulty of the situation, softening the negative connotation.

it raises concerns

Shifts the focus to the concerns that the situation evokes.

it gives cause for concern

Similar to 'it raises concerns', but emphasizes the justification for worry.

it presents difficulties

Highlights the difficulties that arise from the situation.

it seems questionable

Indicates doubt or uncertainty about the situation's validity or appropriateness.

it strikes me as dubious

Expresses a personal feeling of doubt or skepticism.

it's worrying

Emphasizes the aspect of causing worry or anxiety.

it's hardly ideal

Emphasizes that the situation is far from perfect or desirable.

it suggests complications

Highlights the potential for future complications arising from the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "it looks problematic" in a sentence?

"It looks problematic" is used to express concern or doubt about a situation. For example: "After reviewing the initial data, "it looks problematic" due to the inconsistencies observed."

What's a more formal way to say "it looks problematic"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "it presents challenges", "it raises concerns", or "it appears questionable" instead of "it looks problematic".

Is "it looks problematic" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it looks problematic" is grammatically correct and follows standard English sentence structure. The pronoun "it" is followed by the linking verb "looks" and the adjective "problematic."

What does "it looks problematic" imply?

Saying "it looks problematic" implies that there are potential issues or complications that need to be addressed. It suggests a need for further scrutiny or a cautious approach.