a chain of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a chain of problems' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a series or sequence of issues or difficulties. For example, "The company is facing a chain of problems, including a shortage in staff, financial difficulties, and changing customer demands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A poor start often leads to a chain of problems.

The Guardian - Sport

A chain of problems from head to toe.

The Washington Post

Many things, say four experts, who detailed a chain of problems from head to toe.

The Washington Post

The collapse of a major firm in the market could set off a chain of problems, a fact that has scared the Treasury Department this year.

The New York Times

Originally designed as Saturday night entertainment for attendees of a School's History Project conference, the activity creates an overview of the industrial revolution based on a chain of problems and solutions – with students having to identify who has the solution to the new problem.

The Guardian

With TRIZ we can see every problem as a part of a chain of problems.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The complete solution at any order requires the resolution of a chain of cell problems in which the source terms depend on the solution at the lower order.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Obviously they didn't though, and what we know in tragedies like this is that we often see a crash happen because of a chain of unforeseen problems, not just one thing going wrong".

Independent

It generally found extensive problems with the prewar intelligence assessments about Iraq's weapons programs and in particular documented a long chain of problems in the way the intelligence agencies dealt with suspicions about Iraq's interest in acquiring uranium.

The New York Times

"There is a huge amount of risk associated with sending goods into some of these countries, even if it's a contract with the national government, even if it is linked to funding from our own Department for International Development [DFID] or the World Bank, there will still be a chain of risk, and problems associated with getting paid for the product".

The Guardian

By narrowing down the list of possible alerts, they wanted to give them a way to act on the most important ones more quickly then point them to the source of the problem such as a recent event like a code change that caused a chain reaction of problems.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a chain of problems", ensure each problem in the chain is clearly identified and their interrelation is explained to emphasize the compound effect.

Common error

Avoid using "a chain of problems" when the issues are minor or unrelated. Reserve it for situations where the problems are genuinely interconnected and significantly impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chain of problems" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it describes a sequence of interconnected issues, where one problem often leads to another.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

36%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a chain of problems" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted way to describe a sequence of interconnected difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the idea of one issue leading to another. When using this phrase, ensure that the problems are genuinely related and that you clearly articulate the connections between them. Alternatives like "a series of issues" or "a cascade of difficulties" can offer subtle variations in meaning, depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of issues

Replaces 'chain' with 'series', indicating a sequence of problems.

a cascade of difficulties

Substitutes 'chain' with 'cascade', suggesting a rapidly unfolding sequence of problems.

a string of complications

Uses 'string' and 'complications' to convey a sequence of intertwined problems.

a succession of setbacks

Emphasizes the negative impact by using 'setbacks' instead of 'problems'.

a sequence of troubles

Replaces 'chain' with 'sequence' and 'problems' with 'troubles', keeping the core meaning.

a web of challenges

Metaphorically describes interconnected problems as a 'web'.

a network of crises

Implies a complex system of interconnected 'crises'.

an accumulation of predicaments

Highlights the increasing nature of the problems using 'accumulation'.

a cluster of obstacles

Presents the problems as a group or 'cluster' of difficulties.

a cycle of adversities

Conveys a recurring pattern of negative events using 'cycle' and 'adversities'.

FAQs

How can I use "a chain of problems" in a sentence?

You can use "a chain of problems" to describe a series of interconnected difficulties. For example, "The project suffered "a chain of problems", beginning with funding delays and followed by staffing shortages."

What are some alternatives to "a chain of problems"?

Alternatives include "a series of issues", "a cascade of difficulties", or "a string of complications", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a chain of problems" in formal writing?

Yes, "a chain of problems" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing a sequence of related issues in a professional or academic setting.

What distinguishes "a chain of problems" from "a list of problems"?

"A chain of problems" implies that the problems are interconnected and one leads to another, whereas "a list of problems" simply enumerates issues without necessarily suggesting a causal relationship.