what troubles me is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what troubles me is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a concern or issue that is causing you distress or worry. Example: "What troubles me is the lack of communication among team members, which affects our overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"What troubles me is that travelers cannot evaluate this issue.

The New York Times

"What troubles me is, suddenly it's become chic!" he bellowed.

The New York Times - Food

"What troubles me is that there is no verifiable information about his so-called bad teaching".

The New York Times

What troubles me is that rather than enhancing our lives, they can too quickly become the entire point.

The New York Times

"What troubles me is that governments did not resolve to move next to a legally binding treaty.

The New York Times

What troubles me is its dependence on the notion of woman as destroyer.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

What troubles me are the "organized retail" shops, which are often run by the same family for generations.

Forbes

What troubles me are the implications of experiential culture becoming so prevalent, and the consequences of social lives built around "trying everything once".

Vice

What troubled me is the fact that the patient in your article had so much trouble diagnosing her illness, even though both she and her husband are physicians.

The New York Times

A quick visit to google on my laptop assured me there were others out there, but what troubled me was how quickly and easily I thought of many more male superheroes than their female counterparts.

The Guardian

What troubled me was Interactive Bureau's, VP of Public Policy, Brad Weltman's statement that "the new labeling requirements are "overly prescriptive, especially absent any compelling evidence to justify some terms over others".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what troubles me is" to introduce a specific concern or problem you want to address. It sets a clear and direct tone for expressing your unease.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "what troubles me is". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what troubles me is" functions as a means to introduce a specific concern, worry, or problem. It sets the stage for expressing unease about a situation or issue, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what troubles me is" serves as a direct and clear way to introduce a concern or problem. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While effective, it's important to use the phrase judiciously to avoid monotony. Consider alternatives like "what concerns me is" or "my concern is that" for variety. By understanding its function and purpose, you can use this phrase to effectively communicate your worries and invite meaningful discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what concerns me is

Expresses a similar level of worry or apprehension, focusing on concerns.

what worries me is

Highlights the worrying aspect of a situation, emphasizing anxiety.

my concern is that

Shifts the focus to a personal concern about a specific issue.

i'm troubled by

Indicates a feeling of disturbance or unease caused by something.

it bothers me that

Emphasizes the irritating or annoying aspect of a situation.

i find it disturbing that

Highlights a sense of alarm or discomfort regarding a particular matter.

what i'm uneasy about is

Expresses a lack of comfort or security about something.

the problem i have is that

Focuses on a specific problem and its implications.

i'm anxious about

Indicates a state of worry or nervousness about a future event or situation.

something that gives me pause is

Suggests a moment of reflection and concern about a particular aspect.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "what troubles me is" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "my concern is", or "I am troubled by" depending on the context.

What's a more direct alternative to "what troubles me is"?

Alternatives such as "what worries me is" or "what concerns me is" can provide a more direct way to express your unease.

Is it grammatically correct to say "what troubles me are"?

No, if you are referring to a singular issue, the correct phrase is "what troubles me is". If you are referring to multiple issues, you can say "what troubles me are" followed by a plural noun.

How does "what troubles me is" differ from "what confuses me is"?

"What troubles me is" expresses a sense of worry or unease, while "what confuses me is" indicates a lack of understanding. They address different types of cognitive or emotional responses.