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Peaceblinkfriend Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary
"Getting everyone there on time might prove problematic" Prove?
Getting everyone there on time might prove problematic.
This is the example offered by my dictionary for the word 'problematic'. I think I understand what the sentence is trying to say but then I have not a clue what the word 'prove' might imply. I mean doesn't seem to make any sense to me as I know prove means something like 'to show something is true or exists'. I wonder if it would make any difference if it read 'Getting everyone there on time might be problematic'.
Thank you.
Best wishes,
PBF
This is the example offered by my dictionary for the word 'problematic'. I think I understand what the sentence is trying to say but then I have not a clue what the word 'prove' might imply. I mean doesn't seem to make any sense to me as I know prove means something like 'to show something is true or exists'. I wonder if it would make any difference if it read 'Getting everyone there on time might be problematic'.
Thank you.
Best wishes,
PBF
Top answer
Since the sentence is showing the used of problematic, I don't think it matters too much if "prove" or "might be" is used, so long as the sentence makes sense. I would have thought the meaning of "prove" would be evident in relation to "problematic" and someting requiring a solution.
- Since the sentence is showing the used of problematic, I don't think it matters too much if "prove" or "might be" is used, so long as the sentence makes sense.
- I would have thought the meaning of "prove" would be evident in relation to "problematic" and someting requiring a solution.
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7 Answers
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Since the sentence is showing the used of problematic, I don't think it matters too much if "prove" or "might be" is used, so long as the sentence makes sense. I would have thought the meaning of "prove" would be evident in relation to "problematic" and someting requiring a solution.
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Hi PBF
One of the meanings of prove is turn out:
The question proved / turned out [to be] too difficult.
Cheers
CB
One of the meanings of prove is turn out:
The question proved / turned out [to be] too difficult.
Cheers
CB
00
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prove - demonstrate itself to be; in effect, turn out to be or just be!
See www.m-w.com. Definition 3b.
CJ
See www.m-w.com. Definition 3b.
CJ
00
Thank you for all your replies, Calif Jim, Marius Hancu, Cool Breeze and Feebs11. I have a better understanding of the word 'prove' now.
00
Getting everyone there on time might prove problematic.
Getting everyone there on time may prove problematic.
The first one is more doubtful.
Getting everyone there on time may prove problematic.
The first one is more doubtful.
00
may and might are nearly identical in the context illustrated by your sentences.
might - slightly lower register - a bit more frequent in conversation
may - slightly higher register - a bit more frequent in writing
CJ
might - slightly lower register - a bit more frequent in conversation
may - slightly higher register - a bit more frequent in writing
CJ
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