turn problematic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turn problematic" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a situation or issue that becomes difficult or troublesome. For example: "The discussion began to turn problematic when differing opinions emerged." Alternative expressions include "become an issue" and "turn into a challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Chroust said that in addition to the guidelines telling retailers how to control crowds, they also assume that retailers can predict when a crowd can turn problematic.

The New York Times

Females have more internal disorders than males, and can easily turn problematic feelings into depression and anxiety [ 61].

BMC Women's Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This duality turned problematic in the 60's, when the musical instrument industry boomed.

The New York Times - Arts

But that line of allegiance turned problematic for Tigers fans during Game 4. Granderson, with help from Jeter, was the instrument of the Tigers' undoing.

The New York Times

But the theory turns problematic, Judge Barkett wrote, when the clients are on death row, have no role in the selection of their lawyers and have no real control over them.

The New York Times

A routine ground ball to the shortstop suddenly turns problematic when the throw pulls the first baseman off the bag, or if it short hops into the first baseman's glove with a hint of a bobble.

The New York Times - Sports

The issue of logging capital gains turns problematic.

Forbes

The way to avoid turning problematic situations into empirical-normative dilemmas is, as Dewey suggests, to see even facts practically: "facts are such in a logical sense only as they serve to delimit a problem in a way that affords indication and test of proposed solutions" (Dewey 1938, 499).

SEP

That was just one early sign that Whitman's vastly complicated plan to acquire the governorship of California was turning problematic.

Huffington Post

Such nihilistic touches turn the problematic comedy into a feminist tragedy.

The Guardian

To Entergy, though, the commission's opinions were gratifying evidence that their long-term plan to turn the problematic plant around was working.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "turn problematic" to describe a situation that is initially neutral or positive but develops into something troublesome or difficult. It's useful for illustrating a change in state.

Common error

Avoid using "turn problematic" in situations that are already inherently negative or dramatic from the start. It's more effective when highlighting a shift in circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turn problematic" functions as a verb phrase followed by an adjective, describing a process or a change of state where something transitions into a difficult or troublesome situation. Ludwig AI indicates that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "turn problematic" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of something becoming difficult or troublesome. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not overly common, it appears across diverse contexts like news, science, and general discourse. When using this phrase, it is useful to highlight the shift from a previously neutral state, and avoid overuse in already dramatic situations. Related alternatives include "become troublesome" and "evolve into a problem".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become troublesome

Replaces "turn" with "become" and "problematic" with "troublesome", maintaining a similar level of formality.

become difficult

Substitutes "problematic" with "difficult", focusing on the challenging aspect of the situation.

evolve into a problem

Uses "evolve into" to indicate a gradual change into a problematic state.

morph into a complication

Employs "morph" to illustrate a transformation into something complex and troublesome.

take a turn for the worse

Expresses a general decline or worsening of a situation.

devolve into chaos

Suggests a more drastic and negative transformation than "turn problematic".

deteriorate into a crisis

Highlights the worsening of a situation to a critical point.

start to be an issue

Offers a less formal way of saying something is "turning problematic".

degenerate into a mess

Implies a severe decline and disorganization, emphasizing the negative consequences.

descend into turmoil

Indicates a downward spiral into a state of great disturbance and confusion.

FAQs

How can I use "turn problematic" in a sentence?

You can use "turn problematic" to describe a situation that is evolving into something difficult or troublesome. For example, "The initial plan seemed simple, but it quickly began to "turn problematic" as we encountered unexpected obstacles."

What are some alternatives to "turn problematic"?

Some alternatives include "become troublesome", "become difficult", or "evolve into a problem".

Is it better to say "turn problematic" or "become problematic"?

Both "turn problematic" and "become problematic" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference. "Turn" emphasizes a change or transition, while "become" simply indicates a state.

What does it mean when something "turns problematic"?

When something "turns problematic", it means that a situation, plan, or relationship that was previously satisfactory or neutral is now causing difficulties or presenting challenges.