trouble spot

USAGE SUMMARY

"trouble spot" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a specific area or aspect of a situation that is causing difficulty or causing problems. Example: John's new job seemed perfect, but he quickly realized that managing his team was a trouble spot for him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Europe continues to be a trouble spot.

The New York Times

"It wasn't a trouble spot.

The New York Times

The iVillage franchise remains a trouble spot.

The New York Times

As ever, Hebron was a trouble spot.

The New York Times

Libya, a United Nations trouble spot, is situated halfway between Morocco, a French trouble spot, and Egypt, a British trouble spot.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, some have turned to the next trouble spot.

The Economist

Eastern Afghanistan, in particular, has been a trouble spot.

The New York Times

Union Square West is a particular trouble spot.

The New York Times

"It's become a trouble spot," the NBC News executive said.

The New York Times

There is at least one potential trouble spot.

The New York Times

"Who Is It" emerged as a trouble spot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trouble spot", be specific about the location, issue, or area of difficulty to provide clear context to your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "trouble spot" without sufficient context. Instead of saying "The project has a trouble spot", specify which part of the project is causing the problem. For instance, "The project's budget is a "trouble spot"" is more informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trouble spot" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific area or aspect that is causing difficulties or problems. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a problematic location, situation, or element.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trouble spot" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote a specific area, situation, or aspect that is causing difficulties or problems. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, used across various contexts with a neutral register. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, the phrase serves to highlight areas needing attention or resolution. For alternative phrasing, options such as "problem area", "difficult situation", or "sensitive issue" can be considered depending on context. When using "trouble spot", specificity is key to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problem area

Focuses on the problematic aspect of a specific area or location.

hot spot

Similar to flashpoint but can also refer to areas with high activity or interest.

area of concern

Highlights an area that requires attention due to potential problems.

difficult situation

Highlights the challenging nature of a particular circumstance.

thorny issue

Implies a problem that is complex and difficult to resolve.

sensitive issue

Emphasizes the delicate or contentious nature of a particular problem.

point of contention

Highlights a specific issue that causes disagreement or conflict.

flashpoint

Refers to a place or event where conflict or tension is likely to erupt.

weakness

Identifies a specific area or aspect that is vulnerable or deficient.

challenge

A broad term for a difficult task or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "trouble spot" in a sentence?

You can use "trouble spot" to refer to a specific area or aspect that's causing problems. For example, "The company's European operations were a particular "trouble spot" as industry sales declined." /s/as+industry+sales

What is a synonym for "trouble spot"?

Alternatives include "problem area", "difficult situation", or "sensitive issue", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is described as a "trouble spot"?

It means that a particular area, situation, or aspect is causing difficulties, problems, or concerns.

Is "problem spot" the same as "trouble spot"?

Yes, "problem spot" is a very similar phrase to "trouble spot" and can often be used interchangeably.