this is problematical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is problematical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something presents a problem or is difficult to deal with. Example: "The proposed changes to the policy are concerning, as this is problematical for many stakeholders involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is problematical, since the solar corona is three-dimensional and compressible as well.

Advances in Space Research

While it would be desirable to use as fingerprint of location i the vector of measured strengths of the seven strongest carriers at location i, this is problematical since most classifiers require an input vector of fixed format.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

This is problematical.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Any of the miRNAs processed from the Sfmbt2 primary transcript would be imprinted, although testing this is problematical given the highly repetitive nature of the array itself, and the presence of other family members at other locations in the genome.

BMC Genomics

This is problematical in the light of the established significance in bullying research of gender (Card et al., 2008), minority race and ethnicity status (Vervoort, Scholte, & Oberbeek, 2010) and socio-economic status (Due et al., 2009).

Educational Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Securities law geeks will have read the last paragraph and note that this maneuver is problematical under the securities laws.

The New York Times

This condition is problematical for public health and biodiversity specialists because, despite appearances in the field, the specialist parasite is not nearly as host specific as they appear Brooks and McLennan (2002) called them "faux specialists").

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Under current PJM market rules, there is an asymmetry in the settlement treatment of different types of virtual transactions, but a recent recommendation by PJM to eliminate this asymmetry is problematical.

The Electricity Journal

This magnitude dependence is problematical for the EEPAS model, which implicitly assumes that p I is independent of magnitude.

Earth, Planets and Space

However, this equation cannot represent the case where C is zero and is problematical for this reason when baseline or placebo data are modeled.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

Beyond this case the presence of interallelic trans-splicing in vertebrates is problematical to demonstrate.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is problematical", ensure the context clearly identifies what "this" refers to, maintaining clarity for the reader. It is often followed by an explanation of why it is problematical.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "problematical" can sound overly formal or academic in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "problematic" or "difficult" to maintain a more natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is problematical" primarily functions as a statement identifying an issue or difficulty. Ludwig AI shows that this phrase typically indicates that something presents a problem or challenge, often requiring further explanation or consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "this is problematical" is grammatically correct and serves to highlight a problem or challenge. While less common than alternatives like "this is problematic", it maintains a formal tone suitable for academic and professional contexts. The best practice involves ensuring clarity about what "this" refers to, and avoiding overuse in informal settings. When a less formal tone is required, consider "this is difficult" or "this is tricky".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this presents a challenge

Changes structure to emphasize the challenging nature of something.

this poses difficulties

Highlights the presence of difficulties as a result of something.

this raises concerns

Focuses on the concerns or worries associated with something.

this is a source of trouble

Emphasizes the potential for problems or difficulties.

this is proving difficult

Indicates that something is currently experiencing difficulties.

this is fraught with difficulty

Uses a more emphatic expression to highlight significant challenges.

this is questionable

Indicates doubt or uncertainty about something.

this is untenable

Suggests that something is not sustainable or defensible.

this is disadvantageous

Highlights that something is unfavorable or creates a disadvantage.

this is inconvenient

Focuses on the inconvenience or trouble caused by something.

FAQs

What does "this is problematical" mean?

The phrase "this is problematical" means that something presents a problem, challenge, or difficulty. It suggests that there are issues or obstacles that need to be addressed.

Which is correct, "this is problematical" or "this is problematic"?

Both "this is problematical" and "this is problematic" are grammatically correct, but "problematic" is more commonly used in modern English. "Problematical" carries a slightly more formal or academic tone.

What can I say instead of "this is problematical"?

You can use alternatives like "this presents a challenge", "this poses difficulties", or "this raises concerns" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this is problematical" suitable for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "this is problematical" may sound somewhat formal or stilted in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "this is difficult", "this is a problem", or "this is tricky" for a more natural and accessible tone.