problematic in terms of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problematic in terms of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to discuss issues or challenges related to a specific aspect or context of a situation. Example: "The new policy is problematic in terms of its impact on employee morale and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cannabis (hemp) and Humulus (hop) have long been problematic in terms of their placement with other members of the suborder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Strings outnumbered winds five to one — problematic in terms of balance, although the increasingly stellar Philharmonic woodwinds compensated with a series of vibrant solos.

The New Yorker

The idea of subbing in a second referee for a colleague who is tiring is less problematic in terms of the actual officiating.

The New York Times - Sports

That needs a very high standard of revoltingness, and while naked pictures like Lawrence's are obviously problematic, in terms of their content they don't come anywhere near this category.

Independent

Such measures would be deeply problematic in terms of the human rights of asylum seekers and foreign spouses and in terms of EU free movement rights, but left unchecked this is where the current emphasis on the economics of immigration may lead.

The Guardian - Opinion

The issue of metzitzah b'peh, or oral suction, should not be problematic in terms of religious freedom, especially in light of the publicity given to the principle of stare decisis in the recent Supreme Court nomination hearings (Jeffrey Rosen, Feb. 5).

The New York Times

However, their small size can also be problematic in terms of eliciting a toxicological effect.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Overall, qualitative storylines are perceived as being problematic in terms of consistency.

European Journal of Futures Research

However, these procedures can be problematic in terms of cost-effectiveness, surgery time, and healing time.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

For this reason, we did not include MFCC, since they are particularly problematic in terms of redundancy and interpretation [6].

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

On the other hand, NMs can also be problematic in terms of eliciting a toxicological effect by their small size.

Biomaterials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "problematic in terms of", ensure that the context is clear and the specific aspect causing the problem is well-defined. Avoid overuse; consider more concise alternatives when appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "problematic in terms of", especially in formal writing. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement. Consider more direct and concise alternatives like "challenging" or "difficult" when suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problematic in terms of" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun by specifying a particular aspect or respect in which it is considered problematic. It highlights the specific area where difficulties or issues arise, providing a focused evaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "problematic in terms of" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has issues or difficulties related to a specific aspect. As indicated by Ludwig, it's frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While acceptable, it's wise to consider more concise alternatives in formal writing and avoid overuse. Remember to clearly define the problematic aspect when using this phrase. The linguistic analysis reveals its function as an adjectival modifier that pinpoints specific challenges. By using varied sentence structures and being mindful of register, you can effectively communicate concerns without sounding repetitive or verbose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging regarding

Uses "challenging" instead of "problematic", implying difficulty rather than a problem.

difficult with respect to

Replaces "problematic" with "difficult" and "in terms of" with "with respect to", offering a more formal tone.

troublesome in relation to

Substitutes "problematic" with "troublesome" and "in terms of" with "in relation to", changing the tone slightly.

presents difficulties for

Uses a verb-based construction to convey the problematic nature, focusing on the difficulties caused.

raises issues concerning

Highlights that the subject brings up specific issues rather than being inherently problematic.

poses a challenge to

Emphasizes the challenging aspect, shifting the focus from a problem to an obstacle.

creates complications regarding

Indicates that the subject leads to complications, suggesting a more complex issue.

is disadvantageous concerning

Focuses on the disadvantages introduced, rather than a general problem.

is flawed with respect to

Highlights the flaws of something, instead of just stating it's problematic.

has drawbacks in

Points out the disadvantages or limitations in a certain area.

FAQs

How can I use "problematic in terms of" in a sentence?

You can use "problematic in terms of" to point out a specific aspect of something that causes issues or difficulties. For example, "The new policy is problematic in terms of its impact on employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "problematic in terms of"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenging regarding", "difficult with respect to", or "troublesome in relation to" depending on the context.

Is "problematic in terms of" formal or informal?

"Problematic in terms of" is generally considered neutral to formal. However, in very formal contexts, consider more concise alternatives for better clarity.

When is it best to use "problematic in terms of"?

It's best to use "problematic in terms of" when you want to specifically highlight a particular area or aspect that is causing the problem, rather than just stating that something is generally "problematic".