a cluster of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cluster of problems" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of related issues or challenges that are occurring simultaneously. Example: "The project faced a cluster of problems, including budget overruns, staffing shortages, and technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This review flags a cluster of problems that roughly fall under the rubric of inclusive exclusions or discrimination by inclusion.

Duke University

At this time, many in the Royal Society and elsewhere were at work on a cluster of problems that might be described as follows: how can one take Kepler's Laws, which were then considered among the very best descriptions of the planetary orbits, and understand them in the context of dynamical or causal principles?

SEP

This section considers three: (1) a cluster of problems related to the application of primitive predicates to empty terms, (2) the failure of substitutivity salva veritate of co-referential expressions, and (3) the inability of free logic to express sufficient conditions for existence.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The authors further identify a cluster of problem-solving skills relevant for systems thinking that distinguishes it from 'usual thinking' paradigms (Table  1).

Health Research Policy and Systems

Identifying patients with metabolic syndrome -- a relatively new term for a cluster of health problems -- is far more effective than looking at weight alone as a way of predicting heart attack risks, a study released yesterday says.

The New York Times - Health

A cluster of childhood problems, including pneumonia, diarrhoea, malnutrition, measles and malaria, constituted 28% of the disease burden, but received only 13% of the budget.Other conditions, meanwhile, attracted more than their fair share of cash.

The Economist

It clearly shows that the whole CAMHS system is under pressure and struggles with a cluster of interdependent problems.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

This includes a change in bowel habits and symptoms but also low-grade bowel and bladder symptoms that produce a cluster of 'small' problems; Klee et al (2000) reported a significantly higher incidence of low-grade diarrhoea in cervical cancer survivors 2 years after treatment compared with age-matched controls.

British Journal of Cancer

PTD is a complex cluster of problems associated with socio-economic, socio-demographic, socio-behavioral, environmental, medical, biological and genetic risk factors [ 3- 8].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In the Middle Ages, as now, we really find a cluster of several related problems radiating from a single common conundrum or paradox.

SEP

This motivates a discussion of how uncertainty frameworks should be chosen to suit the problem in hand and leads to a clustering of uncertainty problems in structural dynamics into three types: quantification, fusion and propagation.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a cluster of problems", be specific about the nature of the problems. Provide examples or categories to give your audience a clear understanding of the issues at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "a cluster of problems" as a vague placeholder. Always follow up with details or examples. Otherwise, the phrase becomes meaningless and weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cluster of problems" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a collection of related difficulties, as supported by Ludwig AI which confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cluster of problems" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe multiple, interconnected issues. Ludwig AI affirms this. While not extremely frequent, it is appropriate for various contexts, including science, news, and academic writing. When using the phrase, be specific about the problems involved and consider more formal or informal alternatives depending on the setting. Avoid overuse without providing sufficient context to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of difficulties

Replaces "cluster" with "series", softening the intensity and focusing on the sequential nature of the issues.

a collection of challenges

Substitutes "problems" with "challenges", framing the issues as opportunities for overcoming obstacles.

a set of issues

Offers a more neutral and general alternative, suitable for various contexts.

a constellation of concerns

Uses "constellation" to highlight the interconnected and complex nature of the problems, implying a broader scope.

a web of complications

Emphasizes the interconnected and tangled nature of the problems, suggesting difficulty in disentangling them.

a confluence of troubles

Highlights the convergence of multiple problems, suggesting they have come together to create a difficult situation.

an array of setbacks

Focuses on the negative impact of the problems, portraying them as hindrances to progress.

a confluence of challenges

Highlights the simultaneity of multiple challenges

a tangle of snags

Snags is slightly more informal and implies that the problems, while annoying, are not insurmountable.

a grouping of predicaments

Uses a more formal word ("predicaments") to describe the problems, suggesting a more serious or formal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "a cluster of problems" to describe multiple related issues occurring simultaneously. For example, "The project encountered "a cluster of problems", including funding delays and technical difficulties."

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

Some alternatives include "a series of difficulties", "a collection of challenges", or "a set of issues" depending on the context.

Is "a cluster of problems" formal or informal?

"A cluster of problems" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "a confluence of troubles" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "a cluster of problems" and "a single problem"?

"A cluster of problems" indicates multiple interconnected issues, while "a single problem" refers to one isolated issue. Using "a cluster" suggests that the problems are related or compounding each other.