problematic to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problematic to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult or confusing to comprehend. Example: "The instructions were so convoluted that they were truly problematic to understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The art I buy is controversial, sometimes repugnant to most viewers, problematic to understand, so I write my purchases down to zero.

Forbes

In this context, it is problematic to understand that CSR is an inclusive set of corporate responsibilities in 'all-in-one' box.

Research in Transportation Business & Management

Programme effects span levels and other boundaries within a system, vary dynamically or are cumulative over time and are problematic to understand in terms of cause and effect, where concurrent external influences exist and the impact upon study endpoints may be mediated by a range of organisational and social factors.

Social Science & Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Griswold suggests that it is problematic to try to understand the meaning of the Bible plainly, because the authors of Scripture were, as we are, captives of their time and place.

The New Yorker

To understand problematic jets that plagued early implosion designs, other test methods were necessary, but the RaLa experiments played a primary role in the design of explosive lenses.

Wikipedia

One example is parental advice on abstaining from alcohol, which can be problematic for your teen to understand and may be perceived as a classic example of the old saying, "Do as I say and not as I do".

Huffington Post

This is clearly problematic for students trying to understand complex cellular processes and genetic mechanisms.

CBE Life Sciences Education

In the Analects, the ambiguous relation between ren and li poses the problematic of how we are to understand the relation between cultural norms and practices on the one hand and that part of morality that appears to transcend any particular set of norms and practices.

SEP

It didn't take me long to understand how problematic that framing really is.

Huffington Post

Throughout the series, Homer and Lisa's relationship is problematic, as Homer often struggles to understand Lisa, who in many ways is a little girl but who is also smarter than him.

Wikipedia

In the era of Obamacare with a promise to transform the health and wellbeing of children and families across America it helps to understand the problematic and discriminatory compromises that philanthropists and government made to accommodate segregationists in the South and religious zealots who rejected the teaching of science a hundred years ago.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "problematic to understand", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the difficulty in understanding. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "problematic to understand" when simpler terms like "difficult" or "confusing" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when describing complex or nuanced issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problematic to understand" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or concept. It describes something that presents difficulties in comprehension. Ludwig examples show its usage in academic, news, and personal contexts, indicating that the expression can function across registers.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "problematic to understand" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is difficult to comprehend. Ludwig AI indicates it is suitable for various contexts, including academic, news, and general writing. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate across different registers. Alternative phrases like "difficult to grasp" or "hard to comprehend" can be used depending on the specific nuance. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure the context clearly identifies the source of the difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to grasp

Emphasizes the challenge in initially comprehending something.

hard to comprehend

Highlights the mental effort required for understanding.

challenging to comprehend

Focuses on the demanding nature of understanding the subject.

tough to figure out

Suggests a need for effort and problem-solving to understand.

confusing to understand

Highlights the lack of clarity making it problematic.

obscure to grasp

Suggests the information is hidden or not easily accessible.

opaque to understanding

Indicates a lack of transparency or clarity.

unclear to understand

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the information.

abstruse to comprehend

Suggests the topic is highly complex and difficult to penetrate.

Byzantine to unravel

Implies intricate complexity and difficulty in understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "problematic to understand" in a sentence?

Use "problematic to understand" when describing something that presents significant difficulty in comprehension. For example, "The economic theory was "problematic to understand" due to its complex equations".

What are some alternatives to "problematic to understand"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to grasp", "hard to comprehend", or "challenging to comprehend" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "problematic to understand" instead of just "difficult to understand"?

"Problematic to understand" suggests that the difficulty arises from specific issues or problems inherent in the subject matter, rather than simply being generally hard. Use it when there are identifiable reasons for the lack of comprehension.

Is "problematic to understand" a formal or informal expression?

While "problematic to understand" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it leans slightly towards the formal side. In very casual settings, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.