problematic endeavor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problematic endeavor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is likely to encounter difficulties or challenges. Example: "The new policy implementation is proving to be a problematic endeavor, as it faces resistance from both employees and management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But, if those efforts can backfire and produce riskier behavior, providing insurance becomes a much more complicated and problematic endeavor.

The New Yorker

Although this sounds perfectly unremarkable on first hearing what else should we expect a theory of justice to do?—attempting to glean practical advice from ideal theories proves to be an extremely problematic endeavor.

SEP

Hearing from "old heads" who laid the foundation of the music and culture, seeing archival footage of places that are long gone (Bowen Homes) due to gentrification (which is not mentioned), and witnessing what is sure to be a classic musical gem from Atlanta's mayor Kasim Reed, makes it a worthwhile albeit problematic endeavor.

Huffington Post

Yet, accounting successfully for quality has been a problematic endeavor, often producing dysfunctional effects.

BMC Health Services Research

Opponents of moral bioenhancement think that because of these allegedly fundamental disagreements, moral bioenhancement is a problematic endeavor.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The CIA played a key role in shaping the film's narrative," reported BuzzFeed's Michael Hastings; the CIA "couldn't have asked for better product placement", said the New York Times Timothy Egann; as a result, said The Atlantic's Peter Maass: "Zero Dark Thirty represents a new genre of embedded filmmaking that is the problematic offspring of the worrisome endeavor known as embedded journalism").

The Guardian - Opinion

(Though if one considers pinkwashing accusations legitimate, this specific endeavor is itself problematic).

Huffington Post

Problematic plastic: Russell Simmons, famous for co-founding Def Jam Records, among other endeavors, started RushCard 12 years ago.

Los Angeles Times

While the proliferation of different TTO specifications may be seen as a valuable and integral part of the scientific endeavor to achieve optimal valuation methods, methodological variation in TTO studies is problematic from a policy point of view.

European Journal of Health Economics

These financial ties — including the past speeches, business endeavors and well as donor relationships with the Clinton Foundation — have already attracted critics who say they include inherent conflicts of interest and could be problematic under a Clinton administration.

The New York Times

"Beyond the extremely problematic matter of casting doubt on the U.S. commitment to international justice and accountability," Senator Feingold said, "these steps actually call into question our country's credibility in all multilateral endeavors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "problematic endeavor", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and source of the problems. Be specific about what makes the endeavor problematic.

Common error

Avoid using "problematic endeavor" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound clichéd. Consider using more precise language to describe the specific challenge at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problematic endeavor" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "problematic" modifies the noun "endeavor". Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing tasks or projects facing difficulties. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "problematic endeavor" describes a task or project likely to encounter difficulties. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although relatively rare in usage. It is used across diverse contexts, including news, science and formal communications. Consider alternatives such as "challenging undertaking" or "difficult task" depending on the context. While grammatically sound, being too reliant on the phrase "problematic endeavor" should be avoided in favor of more specific and precise wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging undertaking

Replaces "problematic" with "challenging" and "endeavor" with "undertaking", focusing on the difficulty aspect.

difficult task

Simplifies the phrase by using more common words, emphasizing the difficulty.

troublesome effort

Substitutes "problematic" with "troublesome", highlighting the potential for causing trouble.

complex undertaking

Focuses on the complexity involved, rather than the problems it might cause.

thorny issue

Emphasizes the sensitive and potentially painful nature of the challenge.

delicate situation

Highlights the need for careful handling due to potential problems.

awkward project

Suggests a project that is uncomfortable or difficult to manage.

precarious attempt

Implies that the attempt is risky and could easily fail.

risky venture

Highlights the potential for loss or negative consequences.

uncertain proposition

Emphasizes the lack of certainty about the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "problematic endeavor" to describe a task or project that is likely to encounter difficulties. For example, "Implementing the new policy is proving to be a "problematic endeavor" due to resistance from employees".

What are some alternatives to "problematic endeavor"?

Some alternatives include "challenging undertaking", "difficult task", or "troublesome effort" depending on the specific context.

Is "problematic endeavor" formal or informal?

"Problematic endeavor" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very formal contexts, consider more precise language. In informal conversation, it can sound somewhat stilted; simpler phrasing might be preferred.

What makes an endeavor "problematic"?

An endeavor is "problematic" when it is likely to encounter difficulties, obstacles, or resistance, leading to potential complications or failure. This could be due to inherent complexities, lack of resources, or conflicting interests.