a comparable problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comparable problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an issue that is similar or analogous to another problem in context. Example: "The researchers identified a comparable problem in the neighboring community that required similar solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Traditional and modern dance by black African and West Indian immigrants

Thresholds for absolute OHS

Track draft position

Ethnic background

Paper and pen testing

Mandatory celibacy

Interspecies differences

Census

Commodities like wheat or oil

Multimorbidity

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"People say to me, 'Oh, who else is out there like you?' " A comparable problem exists in England, a center, with France, for traditional and modern dance by black African and West Indian immigrants.

The New York Times - Arts

Thresholds for absolute OHS involve a comparable problem as patients with a relatively low preoperative OHS may have a large and satisfactory improvement but still not reach the threshold.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

For a team like the Mets, for example, Matt Harvey losing a year to Tommy John surgery was a big deal, but if a pitcher like one time 24th round draft pick Erik Goeddel gives them a couple of productive years before giving in to injury, it is not a particularly a comparable problem.

Huffington Post

A comparable problem may apply to ethnic background.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

A comparable problem also exists with conventional paper and pen testing, e.g. in the Trail making test A or B. The computerized tests resemble their conventional paper and pen correlates, with exception of the Stroop tests, which had to be adapted for the touch screen format.

Fluids and Barriers of the CNS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is a reason religions with a married clergy have no comparable problem — not that they are problem-free.

The New York Times

Furthermore, it is questionable if estimates of the fixation rate of adaptive substitutions based on comparisons between fixed interspecies differences (dN/ dS) and intraspecific polymorphism (pN/ pS; Fay et al. 2001; Smith and Eyre-Walker 2002 CSACC 2005) will suffer from a comparable inherent problem.

Genome Biology and Evolution

There was no comparable problem with the count of Puerto Ricans, Mexicans and Cubans.

The New York Times

There's no comparable problem with commodities like wheat or oil, where the price changes minute by minute, and goes down as easily as it goes up.

The New York Times

Comparable problem behaviours are rare in the general population, hence the extent of the difference in multimorbidity would have been greater if these could have been included.

BMC Family Practice

It is expected to show that Stafford was not a one-off and that other hospitals have had comparable problems.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a comparable problem", ensure that you clearly articulate the similarities between the two problems being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming complete equivalence between problems; instead, acknowledge subtle differences to maintain nuance and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comparable problem" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to identify or describe an issue that shares significant characteristics with another issue, as Ludwig shows.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a comparable problem" is grammatically sound and serves to draw parallels between two distinct issues. Ludwig AI highlights that while the phrase is correct, it's important to ensure that you're clearly articulating the similarities between problems to avoid ambiguity. While interchangeable with phrases like "a similar problem" or "an analogous situation", "a comparable problem" specifically emphasizes measurable or direct similarities. Use this phrase when you want to highlight the degree to which the two problems can be equated or measured against each other.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a similar issue

Focuses on the likeness between two or more issues.

an analogous situation

Highlights the parallel nature of two different scenarios.

a parallel challenge

Emphasizes the matching difficulties or hurdles involved.

a related difficulty

Indicates a connection or association between two problematic circumstances.

a corresponding concern

Stresses the alignment or equivalence of worries or anxieties.

a matching predicament

Points to the identical or nearly identical nature of two dilemmas.

a like complication

Emphasizes the shared intricacy or complexity of two matters.

a same concern

Underscores that the concern is exactly the same.

a shared adversity

Highlights that the difficult situation is shared between multiple entities.

a mutual obstacle

Focuses on the obstacle and highlight that it is mutual.

FAQs

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

You can use "a comparable problem" to draw parallels between two distinct issues, like: "The lack of funding for this project presents "a comparable problem" to the one we faced last year".

What's the difference between "a comparable problem" and "a similar problem"?

While both suggest likeness, "a similar problem" implies a general resemblance, whereas "a comparable problem" suggests a more direct and measurable similarity.

What are some alternatives to using "a comparable problem"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "a related issue", "a parallel challenge", or "an analogous situation".

Is it better to say "a comparable problem" or "a similar problem"?

The choice depends on the specific context. "A comparable problem" is suitable when you want to emphasize the degree to which the two problems can be equated or measured against each other. Otherwise, "a similar problem" is generally fine.