problematic a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problematic a decision" is not correct in English.
It seems to be an attempt to describe a decision that is problematic, but the structure is incorrect. Example: "The committee found that it was a problematic decision to cut funding for the arts program."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If incorporation bias is deemed problematic, a decision will be made as to the need for a routine second panel review of cases when the findings of tests contributing to the primary outcome reference are discrepant.

BMC Gastroenterology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Niggli says he is "reaching out" to Kolobkov because "we think that whilst the letter is close to meeting the requirements of the roadmap, there might still be issues". The Swiss warns Kolobkov that "a negative recommendation by the CRC will be problematic for a decision to then be taken by the executive committee accepting that the letter meets the requirements of the road map.

BBC

The GSA's failure to investigate these constitutional concerns led it to a problematic decision to affirm that the government could continue to lease the Old Post Office Building to the president's company, the inspector general concluded.

Huffington Post

It is certainly not as potentially problematic for the program as a decision that vouchers violate a standing court order on desegregation, as a federal judge ruled last week in regard to such an order in one Louisiana parish.

The New York Times

As all projects at AETMIS, each of the ones studied began with a request presented to the Agency, in response to a problematic situation that calls for a decision to be made, and eventually an action to be taken.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Ms. Machova, who is still in a drawn-out legal dispute over the 2007 sale of her plastic packaging factory, remains an optimist, even as she copes with the consequences of a romantic, but problematic, decision to buy a ruined castle and turn it into a hotel.

The New York Times

The UNHCR has also stopped providing bus services for migrants on the islands of Lesbos and Chios, since reception centres were turned into places of detention, a decision Cochetel said was "problematic" and "not our vocation".

The Guardian

Utilization of indigenous vegetation as parts of the urban landscape is still a problematic matter in decision making and planning.

Landscape and Urban Planning

That remains a highly problematic decision, but the more muted and centrist tone of the term that just ended has made me less persuaded that the court is on a collision course with mainstream public opinion.

The New York Times

In the U.S., we — the voters — elect our presidents using a potentially problematic decision rule: we largely decide who will be president based on the election-year economy (1, 2, 3).

University of California, Berkeley

"This is obviously a very problematic decision for the climate and good news for the oil industry," says William Todts, head of the Brussels-based clean transport lobbying group T&E.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "problematic a decision", opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "a problematic decision" or better yet "troublesome decision".

Common error

The error stems from misplacing the indefinite article "a" before the adjective "problematic" when it should precede the entire noun phrase: "a problematic decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problematic a decision" aims to describe a decision that poses difficulties or problems. However, as indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrasing is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a problematic decision".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the intention behind the phrase "problematic a decision" is clear – to describe a decision that presents problems – it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct phrasing is "a problematic decision". Alternatives like "troublesome decision" or "difficult decision" are also suitable. The phrase appears across news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the article "a" is correctly placed before "problematic" to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Troublesome decision

Emphasizes the difficulties or problems associated with the decision.

Difficult decision

Focuses on the complexity and challenge in making the decision.

Questionable decision

Highlights the doubts or concerns about the validity or wisdom of the decision.

Unsound decision

Indicates that the decision lacks a solid basis or justification.

Controversial decision

Suggests that the decision is likely to cause disagreement or opposition.

Risky decision

Focuses on the potential for negative outcomes or failure.

Ill-advised decision

Implies that the decision was made without careful consideration or good judgment.

Unfortunate decision

Highlights the negative consequences or bad luck associated with the decision.

A flawed decision

Directly points out the existence of errors or weaknesses in the decision-making process or outcome.

Poorly thought-out decision

Underlines the lack of careful planning and consideration behind the decision.

FAQs

What is the correct way to phrase "problematic a decision"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase it is "a problematic decision". You can also use alternatives like "troublesome decision" or "difficult decision".

What are some alternatives to "a problematic decision"?

Alternatives include "questionable decision", "unsound decision", or "controversial decision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "problematic decision" grammatically correct?

Yes, "problematic decision" is grammatically correct, especially when referring to the general idea of decisions that pose problems. However, if you're talking about a specific decision, it's better to say "a problematic decision".

How does the meaning change when using "a problematic decision" versus "problematic decision"?

"A problematic decision" refers to a specific instance, while "problematic decision" can refer to a general category or concept. For example, "That was a problematic decision" refers to a specific choice, whereas "Problematic decision-making" describes a pattern or trend.