ponderous problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ponderous problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem that is heavy, burdensome, or difficult to deal with, often implying that it requires significant thought or effort to resolve. Example: "The team faced a ponderous problem that required extensive research and collaboration to find a viable solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Genome Medicine

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Thus far, Obama has let the Congress run with this ponderous problem.

Genome Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was memorable, but the revelation of the concert was the Messiaen, a three-part, 13-minute work that explores Christian theology without ever seeming ponderous, a problem with some of his later works.

The New York Times - Arts

Are ponderous modern instruments the problem?

The New York Times - Arts

Each week we will pre-ponder the ponderous and de-hype the hype.

Huffington Post

But despite the inventive staging and all-out efforts of an admirable cast — especially the courageous performance of the Canadian bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch as Seth Brundle, the obsessed scientist who morphs into the hideous creature he calls Brundlefly — "The Fly" is a ponderous and enervating opera, and the problem is Mr. Shore's music.

The New York Times - Arts

Margarethe von Trotta's Hannah Arendt was plagued by the same problem of depicting a ponderous character carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Huffington Post

But this is far from being a ponderous book about pondering.

Huffington Post

The problems begin with a ponderous prologue featuring a luckless actor, Vladimir Anton (Zen Mansley), reduced to wandering around old Savannah graveyards as a tour guide, acting spooky and relating mumbo jumbo about "orbs," or "ghosts in the forms of balls of light," the residue of slain souls seeking retribution.

The New York Times

Denuded of Michael Carrick by a calf problem, Van Gaal's side were ponderous and became reliant on speculative efforts from distance by Marouane Fellaini and Blind.

BBC

Its major problem as a football program — that ponderous phrase — is that Notre Dame does not merely compete against Michigan and U.S.C. every autumn.

The New York Times - Sports

The problem is that the pacing becomes a little ponderous sometimes and the acting style that Loach elicits from his cast occasionally has an ingenuous, almost youth-theatre feel.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ponderous problem" when you want to emphasize the significant weight and complexity of an issue, suggesting it requires careful consideration and effort to resolve.

Common error

Avoid using "ponderous problem" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formal tone may sound out of place. Opt for simpler terms like "big problem" or "tough issue" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ponderous problem" functions as a noun phrase, where "ponderous" modifies the noun "problem". The adjective emphasizes the weight and complexity of the problem. Ludwig examples highlight its usage in contexts requiring careful consideration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ponderous problem" describes a weighty and complex issue demanding careful thought and significant effort to resolve. While grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig indicates that its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "weighty issue" or "burdensome challenge" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to reserve "ponderous problem" for situations where you truly want to emphasize the heaviness and complexity of the challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weighty issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and "ponderous" with "weighty", focusing on the significance and impact.

burdensome challenge

Substitutes "problem" with "challenge" and "ponderous" with "burdensome", highlighting the difficulty and effort required.

complex dilemma

Replaces "problem" with "dilemma" and "ponderous" with "complex", emphasizing the intricate and perplexing nature.

difficult predicament

Substitutes "problem" with "predicament" and "ponderous" with "difficult", underscoring the challenging and unfavorable situation.

troublesome matter

Replaces "problem" with "matter" and "ponderous" with "troublesome", highlighting the annoyance and inconvenience.

serious concern

Substitutes "problem" with "concern" and "ponderous" with "serious", emphasizing the gravity and importance.

grave situation

Replaces "problem" with "situation" and "ponderous" with "grave", stressing the severity and potential danger.

thorny question

Replaces "problem" with "question" and "ponderous" with "thorny", highlighting the complexity and potential for conflict.

intricate puzzle

Replaces "problem" with "puzzle" and "ponderous" with "intricate", emphasizing the complexity and need for careful analysis.

formidable obstacle

Replaces "problem" with "obstacle" and "ponderous" with "formidable", stressing the size and difficulty of overcoming the challenge.

FAQs

What does "ponderous problem" mean?

The phrase "ponderous problem" refers to a problem that is weighty, difficult, and requires considerable thought and effort to solve. It suggests the problem is not only complex but also has significant implications.

What can I say instead of "ponderous problem"?

You can use alternatives like "weighty issue", "burdensome challenge", or "complex dilemma" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "ponderous problem" in formal writing?

Yes, "ponderous problem" is suitable for formal writing when you need to emphasize the gravity and complexity of an issue. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall style of your writing.

How can I effectively use "ponderous problem" in a sentence?

When using "ponderous problem", ensure the sentence clearly reflects the weight and complexity of the issue. For example: "The team faced a "ponderous problem" that required extensive research and collaboration to find a viable solution".