a dangerous problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dangerous problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that poses a significant risk or threat. Example: "The rising sea levels present a dangerous problem for coastal cities, threatening their infrastructure and safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Cattle-rustling is a dangerous problem here.

The New York Times

The government has finally realised that repeated management failure is becoming a dangerous problem.

The Guardian

Organized crime also represents a dangerous problem, ministers warned this week.

The New York Times

"This is a dangerous problem because a good share of the world's area sown to wheat is susceptible to it," Borlaug said.

The Washington Post

But large pieces had fallen so often without serious harm that NASA no longer regarded foam as a dangerous problem, investigators found.

The New York Times

I was drawn to medicine by the aura of heroism — by the chance to charge in and solve a dangerous problem.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I took this job because I thought I had a set of skills and an opportunity to resolve a very dangerous problem for this company," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Commenting on another student's work meant passing around a hard-copy draft, and not understanding a lecture the first time around was a potentially dangerous problem.

University of Chicago

The bacterial infection that killed a Brooklyn middle school student, panicked many parents and sent school officials in many states into a frenzy of cleaning and disinfecting is only the latest manifestation of a very dangerous problem: the development of bacterial strains that are resistant to many antibiotics.

The New York Times

He acknowledged that corruption was a "very dangerous problem".

The New York Times

The problem is (and it's a really dangerous problem) that policy is beginning to bump up against some serious logistical constraints.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dangerous problem", provide specific details about the nature of the danger and potential consequences to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a dangerous problem" when the issue is merely inconvenient or mildly concerning. Ensure the situation genuinely poses a significant risk or threat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dangerous problem" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts to identify issues posing significant risks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

14%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dangerous problem" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe situations posing significant risks. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and adaptability. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing, though it's most frequent in news and media. To enhance clarity, provide specific details about the danger and potential consequences when using this phrase. Consider alternatives like "a grave concern" or "a serious threat" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a perilous issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and "dangerous" with "perilous", emphasizing the threatening nature.

a grave concern

Substitutes "dangerous problem" with "grave concern", focusing on the seriousness and worry associated with the situation.

a serious threat

Replaces "problem" with "threat", highlighting the potential for harm or damage.

a critical risk

Uses "critical risk" instead of "dangerous problem", emphasizing the high probability and impact of negative outcomes.

a hazardous situation

Replaces "problem" with "situation" and "dangerous" with "hazardous", indicating a potentially harmful set of circumstances.

a risky predicament

Substitutes "dangerous problem" with "risky predicament", highlighting the uncertain and potentially unfavorable conditions.

a worrying trend

Replaces "dangerous problem" with "worrying trend", focusing on a pattern or development that causes concern.

a severe challenge

Uses "severe challenge" instead of "dangerous problem", emphasizing the difficulty and demanding nature of the situation.

an alarming development

Replaces "dangerous problem" with "alarming development", focusing on a recent event that causes anxiety or fear.

a pressing matter

Substitutes "dangerous problem" with "pressing matter", highlighting the urgency and importance of addressing the issue.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "a dangerous problem"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "a grave concern", "a critical risk", or "a serious threat" to convey the severity of the issue.

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

You can use "a dangerous problem" to describe a situation posing a significant risk. For example, "The lack of cybersecurity measures is "a dangerous problem" for many businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a dangerous problem" that aren't as strong?

If you want to downplay the severity, consider using terms like "a challenge", "an issue", or "a concern".

Is it redundant to say "a very dangerous problem"?

While not strictly redundant, using "very" can sometimes weaken the impact. Consider using a stronger adjective or rephrasing the sentence to emphasize the danger more effectively, such as "a critical problem" or "a grave problem".