unwieldy situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwieldy situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is difficult to manage or handle due to its complexity or awkwardness. Example: "The negotiations became an unwieldy situation, with too many parties involved and conflicting interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Crist's public acknowledgment gave rise to the theory that the Jaguars' business side would drive a football decision, an awkward and unwieldy situation that their general manager, Gene Smith, debunked again and again.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Check that the antenna configuration you use is appropriate and not too unwieldy for your situation.

WikiHow

The original Occupiers who remain have not just mellowed, they have abandoned some of the hallmarks of the organization, given up as unwieldy in a disaster situation.

The New York Times

Therein lies the danger of Sharpton injecting himself into situations like Ferguson: His unwieldy rants have the effect of inflaming tensions, and not the productive kind of tension that might eventually manifest in substantive change.

Vice

But the government says the EU's planned directive would be too unwieldy to deal with the fast-changing situation.

BBC

But after a hundred or so pages, a book starts getting unwieldy, especially in those one-handed reading situations (lying walrus-like on my side in bed, strap-hanging on the subway, eating pretzels) and pages start flopping closed.

The New Yorker

"'Portable hot spot' is descriptive but unwieldy.

The New York Times

But the Church of England's situation is especially difficult because it is burdened with an expensive, unwieldy administrative structure and lots of beloved, old but expensive buildings.Between 1990 and 2001, the church lost 18% of its Sunday communicants, 17% of its clergy (none of them bishops)—and 1% of its buildings.

The Economist

While Facebook's reporting feature has been criticized by some technology experts as unwieldy, and by some suicide prevention experts as a blunt instrument to address a volatile situation, other therapists have praised it as a positive step.

The New York Times

In 1965 he purchased an unwieldy sound-on-film Auricon camera and began deploying the personalities he called "superstars" in fitfully dramatic situations, mainly devised by the playwright Ron Tavel.

The New York Times

It's an unwieldy subject.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing organizational structures or processes, use "unwieldy situation" to highlight inefficiencies and difficulties in management. For example: 'The company's reporting structure created an "unwieldy situation", hindering decision-making.'

Common error

Avoid using "unwieldy situation" for simple, easily resolvable problems. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely involve complexity or difficulty in handling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unwieldy situation" functions as a noun phrase where "unwieldy" modifies the noun "situation". It describes the quality of the situation, indicating it is difficult to handle or manage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unwieldy situation" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe circumstances that are difficult to manage due to their complexity or lack of organization. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources, although its frequency is relatively rare. As observed, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and it's important to reserve it for situations genuinely warranting its use, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. Consider alternatives such as "cumbersome situation" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cumbersome situation

Replaces "unwieldy" with "cumbersome", emphasizing the burdensome nature of the situation. Slightly more formal.

difficult situation

Replaces "unwieldy" with "difficult", focusing on the challenges posed by the situation. Broader and less specific.

unmanageable situation

Emphasizes the lack of control or ability to handle the situation effectively.

awkward situation

Shifts the focus to the uncomfortable or embarrassing aspects of the situation.

complicated situation

Highlights the intricate and complex nature of the situation.

problematic situation

Focuses on the negative aspects and potential issues arising from the situation.

uncontrollable situation

Highlights the inability to regulate or govern the situation.

clumsy situation

Implies a lack of finesse or grace in handling the situation.

intractable situation

Suggests the situation is stubborn and resistant to resolution.

precarious situation

Indicates the situation is unstable and potentially dangerous.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "unwieldy situation" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "cumbersome situation" or "complex and difficult circumstance". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "unwieldy situation" imply about the problem?

It suggests the situation is hard to manage, often because it's too big, complicated, or disorganized. It highlights the difficulty in achieving a desired outcome or maintaining control.

Is "unwieldy situation" a negative term?

Yes, it carries a negative connotation. It implies the situation is undesirable and needs to be addressed or improved to become more manageable.

What are some contexts where "unwieldy situation" is commonly used?

"Unwieldy situation" is often used when discussing business processes, organizational structures, or complex projects that are difficult to oversee effectively.