the troublesome thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the troublesome thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific issue or problem that is causing difficulty or annoyance. Example: "The troublesome thing about this project is the lack of clear communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

THE troublesome thing about all this, of course, is that the pointed views that are being watered down for a wider public acceptance were the very thing that probably got these people noticed in the first place as candidates for the posts they are seeking.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The most troublesome thing is harmful rumours and the psychological effect [on consumers] as a result of radiation concerns," says Kaoru Yosano, the economy minister.

The Economist

The most troublesome thing I learned by talking with a who's who of our nation's security community was that our government doesn't believe it has the ability to defend us from the rapidly evolving threats.

TechCrunch

The second most troublesome thing, according to the poll, was the excessive amount of office space that all the plans included.

The New Yorker

There's one brilliant bit which resonated massively for me, where she says one of the deep, troublesome things about being a woman is that your creative fertility starts peaking in your mid-thirties, where people start taking you seriously as a writer or an actress or whatever, when just at the same time your fertility goes the other way.

Independent

The only really disruptive and troublesome thing a budding rebel can do is to disconnect entirely.

The Guardian

"This troublesome thing.

The New Yorker

Good humor reigns, as in Margaret Mahy's strategy with a "remarkably light" sister ("It's a troublesome thing, / but we tie her with string, / and we use her instead of a kite") and Michael Flanders and Donald Swann's "Mud," with its exuberant illustration of gleeful splashing.

The New York Times - Books

Or maybe they're just reminding us how cool things can be without troublesome things like the Emancipation Proclamation or Title IX.

Huffington Post

Indeed, many point to kotonakareshugi, a word that means willfully ignoring troublesome things.

The New York Times

To deny the UK housing crisis is increasingly to reveal your incontrovertible idiocy, a wilful refusal to be bothered by such troublesome things as facts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the troublesome thing", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'thing' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For instance, specify 'the troublesome thing about the new software is its compatibility issues' instead of just 'the troublesome thing'.

Common error

Avoid using "the troublesome thing" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language, such as "the problematic aspect" or "the significant challenge", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the troublesome thing" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the troublesome thing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to identify a specific source of difficulty or annoyance. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness, though its usage is relatively rare and leans towards a neutral to informal register. More formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "the problematic aspect" or "the significant challenge". While generally acceptable, be mindful of the audience and context when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the problematic aspect

Replaces "troublesome" with "problematic", focusing on the aspect causing the issue.

the difficult issue

Substitutes "troublesome" with "difficult", emphasizing the challenge posed.

the annoying detail

Replaces "troublesome" with "annoying", highlighting the irritation caused.

the thorny matter

Uses a metaphorical term, "thorny", to describe a complex and unpleasant issue.

the vexing question

Employs "vexing" to indicate something that causes worry or annoyance.

the challenging part

Focuses on the challenging element instead of the troublesome one.

the irritating factor

Highlights the irritating aspect of something using the word "factor".

the awkward element

Indicates the uncomfortable or clumsy aspect using "awkward".

the delicate subject

Emphasizes the sensitivity and care required when addressing the matter.

the sticky point

Uses the metaphor "sticky" to describe a difficult point to resolve.

FAQs

How can I use "the troublesome thing" in a sentence?

Use "the troublesome thing" to refer to a specific problem or difficulty. For example: "The troublesome thing about this project is the budget constraints."

What are some alternatives to "the troublesome thing"?

You can use alternatives such as "the problematic aspect", "the difficult issue", or "the challenging part depending on the context.

Is "the troublesome thing" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "the troublesome thing" may sound informal. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "the significant challenge" or "the primary obstacle" in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "the troublesome thing" and "the problem"?

"The problem" is a general term for any issue. "The troublesome thing" is more specific and emphasizes the annoying or difficult nature of a particular aspect of something. It might be useful when you want to emphasize not just the existence of a problem, but the specific detail that is causing trouble.