troublesome situation

USAGE SUMMARY

'troublesome situation' is correct and Usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a difficult or complex issue or challenge. For example, "The manager was dealing with a troublesome situation trying to reconcile two different perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Every now and then, you run into a very troublesome situation.

The New York Times - Sports

The upshot is that we've slipped from a troublesome situation to an appalling one.

The New York Times

"And if energy price rises begin to be passed along, that would become a troublesome situation".

The New York Times

U.S. diplomacy is facing a much more troublesome situation than it did 20 years ago when we were unchallenged as the dominant power in the world.

The New Yorker

"Landlords right now are in a troublesome situation with everyone pinching pennies," said Wesley Zlotoff, chief executive of RentalSpaceNetwork.com in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The New York Times

Facing a potentially troublesome situation over Cabinet secretaries' private travel — inspectors general have become involved in both Mnuchin's and Price's cases — it seemed as though Trump hadn't even heard about it.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Nationally, there is precedent for lawmakers using their campaign coffers to pay lawyers to help them during troublesome situations.

The New York Times

But the state budget crises that have led to these reckonings have also put state university students and their families in troublesome situations.

The New York Times

Henderson said he read Scripture from the Book of John that told him to face troublesome situations with a positive attitude because God will always be with him.

The New York Times - Sports

Over time I built my own network of trusted colleagues - people whose judgment I respected and to whom I could readily go for an objective point of view for troublesome situations.

Forbes

On Friday, Facebook's Chief Privacy Officer on Policy, Erin Egan, took a hard stance on the matter, reminding employers that not only was this a violation of Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, it could also put them in other legally troublesome situations, leading to things like discrimination complaints, for example.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "troublesome situation", be specific about the nature of the trouble to provide context for the reader. For instance, instead of just saying "It was a troublesome situation", elaborate by saying "The lack of funding created a troublesome situation for the project."

Common error

While "troublesome situation" is acceptable, consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "complex challenge" or "significant obstacle" in academic or professional contexts to enhance the sophistication of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troublesome situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "troublesome" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a specific condition or set of circumstances that are problematic or challenging. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science & Research

4%

Opinion

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "troublesome situation" is a common and acceptable way to describe a challenging or problematic circumstance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, and is often used to describe a difficult or complex issue. Analysis of its usage reveals a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication, as evidenced by its presence in various news and scientific sources. When using the phrase, it is crucial to provide sufficient context to clarify the nature of the trouble. Alternatives like "difficult situation" or "thorny situation" may offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult situation

Uses a more general term, "difficult", to describe the nature of the situation.

problematic situation

Uses "problematic" to directly indicate the presence of a problem.

thorny situation

Replaces "troublesome" with "thorny", emphasizing the complexity and potential for conflict.

tricky situation

Replaces "troublesome" with "tricky", highlighting the need for careful handling.

delicate situation

Highlights the need for careful and sensitive handling.

challenging situation

Emphasizes the difficulty and the need for effort to overcome the problem.

uncomfortable situation

Emphasizes the feeling of unease or distress caused by the situation.

complex situation

Highlights the intricate and complicated nature of the situation.

awkward situation

Indicates a situation that is uncomfortable or embarrassing.

unpleasant situation

Focuses on the disagreeable or displeasing aspects of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "troublesome situation" to describe a challenging or problematic circumstance. For example: "The company faced a "difficult situation" due to the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "troublesome situation"?

Alternatives include "thorny situation", "difficult situation", or "tricky situation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "troublesome situation" formal or informal?

"Troublesome situation" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using stronger alternatives like "complex challenge" or "significant impediment".

How does "troublesome situation" differ from "difficult situation"?

While both phrases describe a challenging circumstance, "troublesome situation" often implies that the situation is causing annoyance or difficulty, whereas "difficult situation" simply suggests a challenging or demanding scenario.