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A reviewer of my thesis told me that I am wrongly using the word problematic. He suggested that I use problem instead. I have since read the definition of both words and neither correspond to the French definition I was looking for, so I am asking this community if it is correct to use this word to refer to the object of research in the context of a thesis.

If not, should I use problem instead, or a completely different word? Here is an example sentence:

This thesis provides potential solutions to the problematic outlined.

I know that some of you might think that it is not a real question, but please remember that word usage is of the hardest part of English writing for native French speakers.

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Problematic is a typical case of a false friend. Where French has problématique, German has Problematik, Russian has проблематика, etc., English does not have problematic. Instead, it has "a complex of problems" or "a problem set". – RegDwighт♦ Mar 14 '12 at 23:04
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Oh, and then there's problematics (plural) as well as (drum roll please) problematique. Courtesy of Vitaly in our chat. – RegDwighт♦ Mar 14 '12 at 23:20

2 Answers

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Yes, you should definitely use problem instead. Problematic (as an adjective) is how one would describe something that poses (or can pose) a problem.

problem

a: a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution
b: a proposition in mathematics or physics stating something to be done

problematic

a : posing a problem : difficult to solve or decide
b : not definite or settled : uncertain
c : open to question or debate : questionable

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Which dictionary are you using ? Most British ones (eg Chambers), and certainly many English teachers, say that problematic means 'of the nature of a problem', which fits well with your 2 and 3, but is absolutely not 1. Which causes problems for students. – TimLymington Mar 14 '12 at 22:23
Merriam-Webster. I will move my links and admit that I should consult other dictionaries. :) – cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 Mar 14 '12 at 22:29
Perhaps it's a UK/US thing - I (American) have never seen problematic used as a noun. – Lynn Mar 14 '12 at 22:45
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That is indeed problematic. – Jim Mar 14 '12 at 22:49
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From the noun entry for problematic: First Known Use of PROBLEMATIC: 1957 – cornbread ninja 麵包忍者 Mar 14 '12 at 23:01
up vote 1 down vote

It should indeed be problem: problematic is the adjective, problem is the noun.

That was problematic.

I have a problem.

Words that end in -atic are very often adjectives.

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@JasperLoy: Except one finds the latter mainly in the plural: problematics. Cf. mathematics &c. – Robusto Apr 8 '12 at 14:26

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