problematic circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problematic circumstances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations that are difficult, challenging, or create issues that need to be addressed. Example: "The team faced problematic circumstances that hindered their progress on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the employees believe AJE's uniquely problematic circumstances made such an action particularly unwise.

The Guardian

The scenario is so infected with problematic circumstances and unsavoury characters that McNamee hardly knows where to begin.

The Guardian - Books

Meanwhile, Rupert Thomson's 10th novel pursues, on her behalf and ours, an understanding of what it is to have been given life in such metaphysically problematic circumstances.

The Guardian - Books

But the problematic circumstances of his childhood perhaps suggest a source for some of the conflicts in his personality, particularly the way this apparently conformist man so often embraces the role of embattled outsider.

The Guardian - Books

How then can we as a society countenance the closure, in similar problematic circumstances, of an organisation previously acknowledged to have been providing an excellent service helping vulnerable, neglected, abandoned and even abused children and young people?

The Guardian

As we build intelligent systems that make decisions with and learn from human partners, the same sort of bad training problem can arise in more problematic circumstances.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Problematic familial circumstances were more frequently detected among child molesters as compared to group offenders.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Also problematic, the circumstances in which patients are treated can vary widely from location to location (including locations that are right across the street from one another): the resources, expertise and patients are often quite different and the same research evidence cannot be applied in the same way, or not at all.

BMC Health Services Research

For prevention purposes, it is important that police officers can identify serious problems in the juvenile's rearing environment at an early stage (i.e., problematic family circumstances at the juvenile's living address), so that juveniles can be referred timely to specialized youth care agencies for further assessment and treatment if necessary.

BMC Psychiatry

There existed "potentially problematic facts and circumstances" regarding the idea of a Global Football Fund proposed by Chung Mong-joon, a Fifa executive committee member and honorary president of the Korean FA.

The Guardian - Sport

While certain Qatari officials could yet be punished by the ethics committee, Eckert concluded: "The potentially problematic facts and circumstances identified by the report concerning the Qatar 2022 bid were, all in all, not suited to compromise the integrity of the 2018/22 bidding process as whole".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "challenging situations" or "difficult conditions" if "problematic" feels too negative or judgmental for your intended audience.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "problematic circumstances" in formal documents, as it can sound vague. Instead, directly state the specific problems and challenges involved for a more impactful and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problematic circumstances" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "problematic" modifies the noun "circumstances". According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "problematic circumstances" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe challenging or difficult situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, although it's more common to find it in News & Media and Science contexts. For more formal writing, consider using precise language to describe specific issues. When employing the phrase, clarity and context are essential. Some suitable alternatives include "challenging situations" and "difficult conditions".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging situations

Focuses on the difficulty and demanding nature of the circumstances.

difficult conditions

Emphasizes the hardship and unfavorable aspects of the circumstances.

troubled environment

Highlights the instability and distress within the surroundings.

complex situation

Draws attention to the intricate and multifaceted nature of the circumstances.

awkward predicaments

Stresses the uncomfortable and delicate nature of the situation.

unfavorable conditions

Focuses on the negative and disadvantageous aspects of the circumstances.

precarious position

Highlights the instability and risk associated with the circumstances.

sensitive matters

Emphasizes the delicate and confidential nature of the circumstances.

tricky situations

Stresses the need for caution and clever handling in dealing with the circumstances.

unsettling climate

Highlights the feeling of unease and disturbance created by the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "problematic circumstances" in a sentence?

"Problematic circumstances" describes situations that are difficult or create issues. For example: "The project was delayed due to problematic circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "problematic circumstances"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging situations", "difficult conditions", or "complex situation" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "problematic circumstances" or "difficult circumstances"?

Both "problematic circumstances" and "difficult circumstances" are acceptable. "Problematic" emphasizes the issue-causing nature, while "difficult" highlights the hardship.

What makes a circumstance "problematic"?

A circumstance is "problematic" when it presents challenges, obstacles, or negative consequences that require attention or resolution.