a bad problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that is particularly difficult or undesirable, often implying that the problem is significant or serious. Example: "The company is facing a bad problem with its supply chain that could affect production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Grade: E- A bad problem is getting worse.

The Guardian

However… I developed social phobia, which is a bad problem in itself.

Harvard University

If anything, the new law will make a bad problem worse.

The Economist

As Susan Sontag might have put it, this is not a bad problem to have.

The New York Times - Sports

The approach we have outlined is designed to prevent a bad problem from becoming worse.

The Washington Post

Mr Evra explained that he had previously had a bad problem in that knee.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Symptoms were recorded using 4 point Likert scales (none, a slight problem, a moderately bad problem, a severe problem), and the presence of signs (pus, nodes, cervical nodes, temperature, fetor, palatal oedema, difficulty speaking due to sore throat) to include those used in previous clinical scores.

British Medical Journal

"In the past, you had both a geometry mismatch and a mass mismatch, leading to a pretty bad problem," he said.

The New York Times

17 19 The SD of 0.33 is equivalent to about half of the patients rating sore throat a mild rather than a moderately bad problem.

British Medical Journal

Putting robots online in an insecure way is a pretty bad problem".

TechCrunch

Burnat: Just by saying it's an Israeli film, you create a very bad problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bad problem", consider the specific context and choose more descriptive language if possible to convey the exact nature and severity of the problem.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "a bad problem" when more precise terminology can better communicate the issue. For example, instead of saying "the project faced a bad problem", specify whether it was a "budget shortfall", "technical difficulty", or "scheduling conflict".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad problem" functions as a noun phrase, where "bad" modifies the noun "problem". It describes a situation or issue that is considered unfavorable or undesirable. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a common way to denote something is significantly wrong.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bad problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote an undesirable or difficult situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's considered correct and usable in written English. While its register is generally neutral, using more specific language is advisable in formal contexts to clearly define the nature of the issue. It frequently appears in news and media, reflecting its general applicability in describing a range of negative scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious issue

Emphasizes the gravity and importance of the problem.

a difficult situation

Focuses on the challenging aspects of the problem.

a critical matter

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the problem.

a major concern

Highlights the worry and anxiety associated with the problem.

a challenging issue

Emphasizes the obstacles and effort required to address the problem.

a grave matter

Implies a serious and potentially dangerous problem.

a tough predicament

Suggests a difficult and unfavorable state.

an unfortunate predicament

Suggests the problem is undesirable and difficult to escape.

a tricky situation

Highlights the complexity and difficulty in resolving the problem.

a worrisome development

Focuses on the concerning and potentially negative evolution of a situation.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases for "a bad problem"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious issue", "a difficult situation", or "a major concern" depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

How can I use "a bad problem" in a sentence?

You can use "a bad problem" to describe any undesirable situation. For example: "The company is facing a bad problem with its supply chain." or "Inflation has become a bad problem for many families."

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "a bad problem"?

While grammatically correct and widely understood, "a bad problem" can sometimes be seen as vague. In formal or professional settings, consider using more precise language to clearly define the issue. For example, instead of "a bad problem", use "a significant financial deficit" or "a critical system failure".

What is the difference between "a bad problem" and "a major problem"?

While both phrases indicate a significant issue, "a major problem" often suggests a larger scale or more widespread impact than "a bad problem". The best choice depends on the specific context and the severity of the situation you want to convey.