What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
problematic
Example
The new policy is proving to be problematic for many employees. [problematic: adjective]
Example
The team encountered several problematic issues during the project. [problematic: adjective]
difficult
Example
Learning a new language can be difficult, but it's worth the effort. [difficult: adjective]
Example
The exam was very difficult, but I managed to pass it. [difficult: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Difficult is more commonly used than problematic in everyday language. Difficult is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while problematic is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between problematic and difficult?
Both problematic and difficult can be used in formal and informal contexts, but problematic may be more appropriate in academic or professional settings where precision of language is important.
