a decisive problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a problem that is critical or has significant implications for a situation or decision-making process. Example: "The team faced a decisive problem that could determine the outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

So a lot of virgin land is already coming under the plough.On balance, concludes the FAO's Parviz Koohafkan, land is not a decisive problem for world agriculture.

The Economist

Soil hazardous heavy metal pollution is increasingly a decisive problem all over the world.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gans saw, in the concentration of economic power, the decisive problem impeding the progress of freedom.

Britannica

She made a decisive decision.

Huffington Post

The conservatives in the party, whose gray eminence is Preston Blair Hal Holbrookk), are lukewarm at best, preferring to push for peace talks with the Confederacy that evade a decisive solution to the problem of slavery.

The New York Times

In terms of evolution, however, a decisive solution to the problem of development on land was arrived at by most insects and by reptiles and birds, which developed eggs with a shell impermeable to water or, at least, resistant to rapid evaporation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Policy and law-makers have to confront this issue to reach a decisive solution to the problem.

BMC Medical Ethics

In order to do so, primary care professionals have a decisive role facing this problem, once they have a close social interaction with the community.

BMC Pediatrics

There is little faith here, it seems, in Europe's ability to draw a decisive line under its problems any time soon.

The New York Times

"Britain is playing a positive role, proposing the three vital steps needed to deal with this crisis: the establishment of a financial firewall big enough to contain any contagion, the credible recapitalisation of European banks and a decisive solution to the problems in Greece".

The Guardian

On the contrary, the emotional response of mynas to novelty, which is known to play a decisive role in the problem-solving ability in other bird species [19], [ but see 27], provides a strong basis for understanding why highly urbanized birds are more innovative than less urbanized birds.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive problem" when you want to emphasize that the problem is a turning point, demanding immediate and effective action.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive problem" if the issue is minor or doesn't have significant consequences. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact when a truly critical problem arises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive problem" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "decisive" modifies the noun "problem", indicating that the problem is critical and influential. This aligns with Ludwig's indication that the phrase is correct and highlights a significant issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive problem" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize a critical issue that requires immediate attention and has significant implications. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, including academic, scientific, and news reporting, but overuse should be avoided. While the frequency is rare, its impact lies in highlighting pivotal challenges that can determine outcomes. Alternative phrases such as "a critical issue" or "a pivotal challenge" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical issue

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the problem.

a pivotal challenge

Highlights the turning point or crucial nature of the problem.

a game-changing difficulty

Suggests the problem has the potential to significantly alter the situation.

a fundamental obstacle

Focuses on the foundational or essential nature of the problem.

a major setback

Indicates the problem represents a significant impediment to progress.

a key concern

Highlights the problem as a central point of worry or attention.

a significant hurdle

Emphasizes the difficulty in overcoming the problem.

a crucial matter

Highlights the importance and urgency of addressing the problem.

a defining moment

Suggests the problem will shape future outcomes or perceptions.

a determining factor

Emphasizes the problem's influence on the final result.

FAQs

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

You can use "a decisive problem" to highlight a critical issue that needs immediate attention. For example: "The lack of funding became "a decisive problem" for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive problem"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a critical issue", "a pivotal challenge", or "a major setback".

Is "decisive problem" formal or informal language?

"Decisive problem" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts.

What makes a problem "decisive"?

A "decisive problem" is one that significantly influences the outcome of a situation, requires immediate action, and may lead to a turning point. It's more than just a difficulty; it's a pivotal issue that can determine success or failure.