troubling feature

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "troubling feature" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an aspect or characteristic of something that causes concern or unease. Example: "The report highlighted a troubling feature of the new policy that could negatively impact employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

This tendency to add complexity, ambiguity, and doubt is a troubling feature of Pinker's rules.

The New Yorker

Politicians are accused of beefing up their private armies, a standard and troubling feature of Philippine elections.

The Economist

The distance between the town center and the train station may be the most troubling feature of this whole ambitious experiment.

The New York Times

Let's start with the facts: Oxfam is correct that poverty remains an endemic and troubling feature of life in the UK.

The Guardian

The troubling feature of Mr. Obama's budget is that it fails to return the federal government to manageable budget deficits, even as the wars wind down and the economy recovers from the recession.

The New York Times

The failure of Arab countries to support the Palestinian struggle for statehood by declaring their readiness to establish normal relations with Israel -- if a peace agreement were reached -- has long been a troubling feature of the Israeli-Arab conflict.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Or it will be destroyed; I believe we are approaching a final stage".Murderous militiasA troubling new feature is the growth of Shia militias operating outside the official army command, but probably with the say-so of Mr Maliki, determined to take on the Sunni guerrillas, no matter if civilians in the way get killed.

The Economist

The deaths of many in the Troubles feature in numerous Heaney poems, notably in North (1975), where, in the now famous sequence of "bog poems", they are brought into alignment with the iron-age bodies recovered from the bogs of Jutland, which Heaney had encountered in PV Glob's book The Bog People.

The Guardian - Books

Closer to home (on a much smaller scale) I know of at least one school where my book Trouble – featuring pregnancy and the sex that is an essential part of getting pregnant – has been taken off the shelves after a parent objected to its presence.

The Guardian

The Emmy awards, set for today, were postponed, and the premieres of two films on topics that no one is in the mood for -- "Collateral Damage," an Arnold Schwarzenegger terrorist tale, and "Big Trouble," featuring a bomb on a plane -- were also delayed.

The New York Times

The only other new entry in the top 10 was Leona Lewis's track Trouble, featuring Childish Gambino.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "troubling feature", ensure that you clearly articulate why the feature is troubling to avoid ambiguity. Provide specific examples or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "troubling feature" without specifying the precise nature of the concern. Broad statements without supporting details can weaken your argument. Always clarify the exact reason for the unease or worry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troubling feature" functions as a noun phrase, where "troubling" modifies the noun "feature". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to identify an aspect or characteristic that is concerning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "troubling feature" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote an aspect or characteristic that causes concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning is easily understood and accepted in various writing styles. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, it serves to highlight potential problems or areas needing attention. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear context on why the feature is troubling. While alternatives like "worrisome aspect" or "concerning characteristic" exist, "troubling feature" remains a direct and effective choice for conveying unease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worrisome aspect

Focuses on the element of worry associated with the feature.

concerning characteristic

Emphasizes the characteristic nature of the issue and its potential for concern.

disturbing element

Highlights the unsettling nature of the feature.

alarming attribute

Stresses the potential danger or urgency associated with the attribute.

unsettling quality

Focuses on the quality of unease that the feature provokes.

problematic trait

Highlights the issues or problems caused by the trait.

disquieting aspect

Emphasizes the anxiety and unease caused by the aspect.

vexing characteristic

Focuses on the irritating or frustrating nature of the characteristic.

awkward element

Highlights the uncomfortable nature of the feature.

challenging aspect

Emphasizes the difficulties or challenges posed by the aspect.

FAQs

What does "troubling feature" mean?

A "troubling feature" refers to an aspect or characteristic of something that causes concern, worry, or unease. It suggests that the particular feature presents a problem or potential negative consequence.

How can I use "troubling feature" in a sentence?

You can use "troubling feature" to describe an element that raises concern. For instance, "A "worrisome aspect" of the new policy is its potential impact on employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "troubling feature"?

Alternatives include "concerning characteristic", "worrisome aspect", or "disturbing element". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "troubling feature" or "problematic feature"?

Both "troubling feature" and "problematic feature" are acceptable, but they emphasize different aspects. "Troubling" suggests concern or unease, while "problematic" directly indicates a problem. Choose the term that best fits the specific situation. For example if you describe an aspect as "challenging aspect".