troublesome period

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "troublesome period" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a time frame characterized by difficulties or challenges. Example: "The company faced a troublesome period during the economic downturn, struggling to maintain its workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The BBC documentary reflected a particularly troublesome period in his attempts to stay sober.

The Guardian - Arts

The turn of the 20th century marked the beginning of a troublesome period for Calcutta.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Keith M. Brown unpicks with elegance and precision that most complicated and troublesome period, the seventeenth century, when Scotland had the effrontery to try to impose Presbyterianism on the English and suffered Cromwellian conquest.

The Guardian - Books

The once so successful and admired drug business is going through a demanding and troublesome period in the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry II

His elevation to the throne had led to a troublesome period of endless crises.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rangers recovered from a troublesome opening period in the Mercedes Benz Stadium – in which they found themselves a goal behind – to claim a point through Madjid Bougherra's strike.

The Guardian - Sport

Risk factors for nonacceptance were high self-perceived visibility, a troublesome puberty period, and an emotion-focused coping strategy.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Meanwhile, as regards Tony Blair, I am reminded of Clement Attlee's rebuff to the troublesome Professor Laski: "A period of silence on your part would be welcome".

The Guardian

Low HRQoL in the latter part of childhood is not only troublesome at the immediate period.

Global Health Action

The study population included individuals who reported occasional NSAP at baseline, of whom some subsequently experienced at least one period of troublesome pain at follow-up.

BMJ Open

Furthermore, it may be that sleep disturbance is a mediator in the causal pathway between high strain and new periods of troublesome NSAP.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "troublesome period", provide specific details about the challenges or difficulties experienced to give the reader a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "troublesome period" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "difficult time" or "challenging phase" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troublesome period" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "troublesome" modifies the noun "period". This construction describes a specific duration or segment of time marked by difficulties or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "troublesome period" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a time frame marked by difficulties or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and notes its presence in diverse sources. While not overly common, it maintains a neutral register appropriate for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, consider providing specific details about the challenges to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "difficult time" or "challenging phase" can be used to avoid repetition and add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult time

Replaces "troublesome" with a more common synonym, maintaining the overall meaning.

challenging phase

Substitutes "period" with "phase", providing a slightly different nuance while keeping the core idea intact.

problematic stage

Uses "problematic" and "stage" instead of "troublesome" and "period", slightly altering the tone.

trying time

Emphasizes the difficulty of the period using "trying" as a substitute for "troublesome".

rough patch

Implies a relatively short duration of difficulty, offering a more colloquial alternative.

hard times

A general expression for adversity, replacing the more specific "troublesome period".

adverse circumstances

Shifts the focus to the circumstances surrounding the period, using more formal language.

unsettled era

Highlights the instability of the time, using "unsettled" and "era" to convey the meaning.

unfavorable juncture

Replaces both words with more formal and less common synonyms.

crisis point

Focuses on the peak of the trouble, suggesting a critical moment within the period.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases to "troublesome period"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult time", "challenging phase", or "problematic stage" depending on the context.

How can I use "troublesome period" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company experienced a "troublesome period" due to the global recession" or "His early years were marked by a "troublesome period" of health issues".

Is "troublesome period" formal or informal?

"Troublesome period" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "adverse circumstances" may be more appropriate for academic or professional writing.

What makes a period "troublesome"?

A "troublesome period" is characterized by challenges, difficulties, or problems that cause distress or require significant effort to overcome. These can range from economic downturns to personal health issues.