problematic zones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problematic zones" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to areas or situations that present difficulties or challenges, often in a specific context such as geography, social issues, or project management. Example: "The team identified several problematic zones in the project timeline that could lead to delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This helps in the identification of problematic zones in the area where remedial actions need to be focused.

Applied Water Science

By distributing the known lithology logs across the production zone, the three-dimensional model is a representation of what the reservoir sands are like and is a good visualization of potential problematic zones (Fig. 10).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is especially problematic in temperate zones where ecological boundaries are "fuzzy", which can be quite complicated during a consultation process involving the government and divergent stakeholder groups.

Journal for Nature Conservation

Drug availability was found to be problematic in certain zones.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Further, vegetation analyses could also be linked to habitat studies to assess prospective influences on wildlife (Blair and others 2002), and reveal the extent of invasive weeds which are increasingly problematic in riparian zones (Naiman and others 2005).

Environmental Management

She has consistently been more hawkish than Obama on Syria by asking for more support for the so-called moderate rebels, and in calling for a highly problematic no-fly zone.

Huffington Post

Although aggregation error is problematic if the zone area is too large [ 19, 20], each block is small enough to allow the calculation of its centroid as the representative point of children residing in the block.

BMC Health Services Research

Characterization of the solute exchange between the stream and the storage zones remains problematic, and the effects of transient storage cannot be directly compared within overlapping stream reaches, an important consideration in designing and interpreting stream solute transport experiments.

Journal of Hydrology

For now, access to the most affected war zones remains problematic and getting emergency convoys and supplies to the country's hardest hit areas poses logistical challenges.

Unicef

For some analysts, 2011 threatens to be as problematic for the euro zone as last year, even though the economic environment appears more encouraging.

The New York Times

Arguably, such drug and addiction policy will not reflect societal conditions that may improve the situation for people in the risk zone for problematic alcohol consumption or drug use.

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "problematic zones", clearly define the specific problem associated with the zone to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether the zone is "problematic" due to pollution, security risks, or infrastructural issues.

Common error

Avoid using "problematic zones" without providing context. Simply labeling an area as "problematic" without specifying the issue can be vague and unhelpful. Instead, clarify what makes the zone "problematic" for better communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problematic zones" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "problematic" modifies the noun "zones". It describes specific areas characterized by difficulties or issues. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "problematic zones" effectively designates areas with identifiable issues. Grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse fields like science, news, and business, its purpose is to pinpoint regions requiring focused attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a valid and useful way to express the existence of challenging areas, but one must take care to specify the nature of the problem. While alternatives like "troubled areas" or "challenging regions" exist, "problematic zones" provides a more neutral and professional tone, fitting for formal discussions and strategic planning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troubled areas

Replaces "problematic" with a synonym, focusing on the negative aspect of the zones.

challenging regions

Emphasizes the difficulty presented by the zones.

difficult areas

Simple and direct replacement, highlighting the troublesomeness of the zones.

areas of concern

Shifts focus to the worry associated with these zones.

hotspots

Informal term for areas with intense problems.

sensitive zones

Highlights the vulnerability or fragility of the zones.

vulnerable areas

Focuses on the susceptibility to harm within these zones.

critical zones

Emphasizes the importance of addressing issues in these zones.

high-risk areas

Highlights the potential dangers associated with the zones.

areas needing attention

Focuses on the need for intervention or improvement in these zones.

FAQs

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

You can use "problematic zones" to describe areas or regions that present specific challenges or difficulties. For example, "The study identified several "problematic zones" within the city's infrastructure due to outdated systems".

What are some alternatives to saying "problematic zones"?

Alternatives to "problematic zones" include "troubled areas", "challenging regions", or "areas of concern", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "problematic areas" instead of "problematic zones"?

Yes, "problematic areas" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. The choice between "areas" and "zones" often depends on the specific context; "zones" might imply more formally defined regions.

What makes certain zones "problematic"?

Zones can be "problematic" for various reasons, such as environmental pollution, high crime rates, infrastructural deficits, or social unrest. The specific issues determine the nature of the problem and the appropriate solutions.