With which

Question

"They are not aware of the skeptical origin of the problematic they deal with."

"They are not aware of the skeptical origin of the problematic with which they deal."

In formal writing, is it better to use the second phrasing?

Thanks

Tanit · Accepted Answer

Isn't problematic an adjective? Did you mean problem?

Sextus · Answer

I've seen it used as a noun in, e.g., the expression "the Pyrrhonian problematic".

Tanit · Answer

Interesting, thank you.

BarbaraPA · Answer

I think that the "never end a sentence with a preposition" has been pretty well killed off. In my own opinion, "with which they deal" sounds artificial. I would use your first example.

(Although the point about missing a noun remains.)

Sextus · Answer

Thanks, GG. Yes, it sounded artificial to me, too. That's why I asked.

Regarding the "missing noun", "problematic" has been used as a noun, as I said. If you google it, you'll find the expressions "Pyrrhonian problematic" and "skeptical problematic".

Cheers

Marius Hancu · Answer

Grammar Geek I think that the "never end a sentence with a preposition" has been pretty well killed off. In my own opinion, "with which they deal" sounds artificial. I would use your first example. missing a noun remains.)

Same here.

Anonymous · Answer

Sextus
Regarding the "missing noun", "problematic" has been used as a noun, as I said. If you google it, you'll find the expressions "Pyrrhonian problematic" and "skeptical problematic".

Well, when I found problematic as an adjective in Wiktionary.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/problematic

GB.

Grammarian-bot · Answer

Well guys, according to my search results, problematic is an adjective.

1. Wiktionary http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/problematic

2. World Web Online http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/PROBLEMATIC

GB

Marius Hancu · Answer

Grammarian-botWell guys, according to my search results, problematic is an adjective.

1. Wiktionary http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/problematic

2. World Web Online http://www.wordwebonline.com/en/PROBLEMATIC Buy a better dictionary

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prob·lem·at·ic

Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s

Etymology: problematic, adjective

: something that is problematic : a problematic aspect or concern <problematics of womanhood, of men and women together -- Stephen Koch>

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Sextus · Answer

That's another proof that "problematic" may be used as a noun. I must admit that it is not very common and that most natives don't know that it may be used that way. However, it is thus employed in papers on epistemology and skepticism that are published in international journals of philosophy.

Cheers

P.S.: it seems to be the same as what happens in Spanish. The term "problemática" is the feminin form of the adjective, but may be used as a noun.

With which

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