it proved troublesome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it proved troublesome" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or issue that turned out to be more difficult or problematic than expected. Example: "The new software installation was supposed to be straightforward, but it proved troublesome, causing delays in our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is an interesting question whether the bundle theory of the self is an integral part of mainstream neutral monism, or just another accidental historical accretion that can easily be discarded, should it prove troublesome.

SEP

Three of the prosecution's witnesses proved troublesome for its case.

The New York Times - Sports

The Maya had historically employed ambush and raiding as their preferred tactic, and its employment against the Spanish proved troublesome for the Europeans.

Wikipedia

Engineer to Lewis Hamilton: "It looks like it's calmed down but there are still some big gusts". Gusting winds proved troublesome for the drivers in FP3.

BBC

However, its isolation from the crude reaction mixture proved troublesome, and after numerous attempts a maximum of 41%% of the desired compound was obtained.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

It wasn't so much the "separate" but the "equal" portion that proved troublesome.

HuffPost

Even peregrines themselves proved troublesome.

The New York Times - Science

One of his books proved troublesome.

The New York Times

The poverty figures also proved troublesome.

The Guardian

As the Mariners initially feared, Adams's ankle proved troublesome.

The New York Times

But pitching, a strength throughout the resurgence, has proved troublesome.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it proved troublesome" to describe situations where initial expectations of simplicity or ease were not met. This implies a degree of unexpected difficulty or complication.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "it proved troublesome" leans towards formality. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it was difficult" or "it was a hassle" in casual settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it proved troublesome" typically functions as a clause expressing a judgment about a situation or object. Based on the analysis by Ludwig, it indicates that something turned out to be more difficult or problematic than initially anticipated.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it proved troublesome" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that became unexpectedly difficult or problematic. Ludwig AI indicates it as correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual settings. Due to the absence of exact matches, its practical usage and context may be expanded with additional examples to add depth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it presented challenges

Emphasizes the presence of challenges rather than outright trouble.

it caused difficulties

Focuses on the difficulties that arose as a result.

it turned problematic

Highlights the shift from a normal state to a problematic one.

it became a hindrance

Stresses the impeding nature of the subject.

it posed an obstacle

Implies a barrier that needed to be overcome.

it was not easy

Simple way of conveying difficulty, lacks the explicit negativity.

it was challenging

Focuses more on the stimulating nature rather than the difficulty.

it gave rise to complications

Focuses on the creation of intricate and possibly unforeseen issues.

it engendered setbacks

More formal, suggesting delays and regressions.

it proved unwieldy

Shifts the focus to a lack of manageability or practicality.

FAQs

How can I use "it proved troublesome" in a sentence?

You can use "it proved troublesome" to describe something that initially seemed straightforward but later caused problems. For example, "The software installation was expected to be simple, but "it proved troublesome", leading to project delays".

What are some alternatives to "it proved troublesome"?

Alternatives include "it became problematic", "it caused difficulties", or "it presented challenges". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is "it proved troublesome" formal or informal?

"It proved troublesome" leans toward the formal side. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "it was difficult" or "it was a hassle" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "it proved troublesome" and "it was troublesome"?

"It proved troublesome" implies that the troublesome nature was revealed over time or after some initial expectation of ease. "It was troublesome" simply states that something was troublesome, without necessarily implying a change or surprise.