this was cumbersome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was cumbersome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, task, or object that was difficult, awkward, or unwieldy to handle or manage. Example: "The process of filing all the paperwork was cumbersome, leading to delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This was cumbersome at the beginning, but it makes cost-cutting easier now for example by using more (cheap, Russian) sugar and less (expensive, imported) cocoa.

The Economist

This was cumbersome, slow and often resulted in the same error being highlighted by multiple data types, which would become evident only when a curator was working on a subsequent evidence list and found the gene already corrected.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is cumbersome and cannot serve the interests of low-income countries.

The Guardian

I need to use a magnifying glass, and this is cumbersome and slow because the field is restricted and one cannot take in a whole line, let alone a paragraph, at a glance.

The New York Times - Books

This is cumbersome, costly, doesn't scale, and cannot be applied to every change".

TechCrunch

However, in this case, many product machines, depending on the number of suspicious configurations, have to be constructed and this is cumbersome when the number of suspicious configurations is not small.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

However, this is cumbersome and approximations of dose are instead estimated from machine settings.

Critical Care

However, this is cumbersome and requires sufficient numbers of cases and controls within sub-intervals.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

In disease management trials the typical phase I, II, and III approaches are applied but this is cumbersome and often illogical as these phases were developed to facilitate new drug and vaccine registration trials.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

We decided against using sequence coordinates to track physical distances because this value was cumbersome and not readily derived from the locus number.

Plosone

However, this method was cumbersome and too technically challenging for application in routine clinical practice.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system, use "this was cumbersome" to directly address its inefficiency or difficulty. For example, instead of vaguely stating a system was problematic, specify "this was cumbersome due to excessive paperwork".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "this was cumbersome" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less professional than alternatives like "the process proved unwieldy" or "it presented significant logistical challenges".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was cumbersome" functions as a descriptive statement. It typically predicates a subject, indicating that the subject possessed the quality of being awkward, difficult, or inefficient. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was cumbersome" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing something difficult, awkward, or inefficient. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid expression in English writing. While it is more common in scientific and news media contexts, formal writing may benefit from using stronger alternatives like "unwieldy" or "burdensome". When using this phrase, ensure it clearly identifies the source of difficulty, and prevent overuse by mixing up your vocabulary. The authoritative sources demonstrate reliable use, confirming its overall validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it proved unwieldy

Replaces 'cumbersome' with 'unwieldy', emphasizing the difficulty in handling or managing something.

it turned out to be burdensome

Substitutes 'cumbersome' with 'burdensome', highlighting the heavy or oppressive nature of something.

it became troublesome

Replaces 'cumbersome' with 'troublesome', focusing on the problems or difficulties caused by something.

it was awkward to manage

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the awkwardness in managing something, rather than its inherent nature.

it presented difficulties

Focuses on the difficulties that arose as a result of something, rather than describing it as cumbersome.

it was a logistical nightmare

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the complexity and difficulty of something.

it was inefficient

Replaces 'cumbersome' with 'inefficient', highlighting the lack of productivity or effectiveness.

it lacked ease of use

Focuses on the lack of user-friendliness or simplicity.

it was clunky

Uses a more informal term to describe something that is awkward or ungainly.

it was a hassle

Emphasizes the irritating or inconvenient nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "this was cumbersome" in a sentence?

You can use "this was cumbersome" to describe something that was difficult or awkward to handle. For example, "The old software system was cumbersome, requiring multiple steps to complete a simple task".

What are some alternatives to "this was cumbersome"?

Alternatives include "it proved unwieldy", "it became burdensome", or "it was troublesome". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "this was cumbersome" formal or informal?

"This was cumbersome" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic writing.

What does "this was cumbersome" mean?

The phrase "this was cumbersome" means that something was awkward, difficult, and inefficient to use or handle. It implies that the object or process in question created unnecessary complications.