a dire problem

USAGE SUMMARY

'a dire problem' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a problem that has especially serious or dire consequences. For example: "The water crisis in the region is a dire problem that must be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

Adequate child care

Battery life on iPhones

Space junk

Government spending

Medical errors

Hospital infections

Food security

Homelessness

Water supply

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It is Apollo's intimate parts that, in Khudyakov's opinion, pose a dire problem.

The New Yorker

This is a dire problem when summer temperatures soar to 50°C (122°F) in the shade.While pushing more than 1m Iraqis to emigrate, sanctions have increased the reliance on the state of those left behind.

The Economist

The article "Someone to Watch Over Baby" (March 16) drew attention to a dire problem that needs addressing at the highest level in this nation: adequate, affordable and accessible child care.

The New York Times

Indeed battery life in particular seems to be a dire problem for many.

Forbes

Nevertheless, decades before space junk became a dire problem, NASA's astronauts had some serious issues navigating moon rocks.

Huffington Post

But it's impossible for the budget deficit to be a dire problem when Treasury securities to carry "no-risk".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Cannon, along with a number of conservative theorists, contend that spending on unneeded procedures, medical errors and hospital infections is a more dire problem than the cost of caring for the uninsured.

The New York Times

Or were they canny solutions to an increasingly dire problem?

The New York Times

Or just a backward island with a bad power grid that has to solve its own problems, even when the most dire problem — a Category 4 hurricane — was totally out of its control?

The Washington Post

Groundwater contamination is a real and sometimes dire problem for people who rely on drinking water wells and live near a pollutant source.

Huffington Post

Just look at the debate over climate change, a much direr problem without an agreement on a global solution or even a basic set of standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dire problem", ensure the context clearly conveys a sense of urgency or severity. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "a dire problem" when describing minor issues. The phrase is best reserved for situations with significant negative consequences. For instance, using it to describe a traffic jam would be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dire problem" functions as a noun phrase, where 'dire' modifies the noun 'problem'. It emphasizes the severity and urgency of the problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a dire problem" is a grammatically sound expression used to underscore the severity and urgency of an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, emphasizing its relevance in discussing critical situations. While alternatives like "a critical issue" or "a grave concern" exist, "a dire problem" carries a stronger connotation of impending danger or catastrophic consequences. Remember to reserve its use for situations that genuinely warrant such a serious description to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical issue

Replaces 'dire' with 'critical', emphasizing the importance and urgency of the problem.

a grave concern

Substitutes 'dire problem' with 'grave concern', focusing on the worry and seriousness of the situation.

a serious crisis

Replaces 'dire problem' with 'serious crisis', highlighting the potential for instability and widespread impact.

a pressing matter

Substitutes 'dire' with 'pressing', indicating the need for immediate attention and action.

an urgent situation

Replaces "dire problem" with "urgent situation", emphasizing the immediacy of the issue.

a perilous predicament

Substitutes "dire problem" with "perilous predicament", emphasizing danger and difficulty.

a thorny issue

Replaces "dire problem" with "thorny issue", highlighting the complexity and difficulty in resolving the problem.

a major headache

Replaces "dire problem" with "major headache", presenting the problem as very troublesome and difficult to deal with.

a tough spot

Replaces "dire problem" with "tough spot", offering a more informal way to describe a difficult situation.

a pickle

Replaces "dire problem" with "a pickle", providing an informal and less severe way to describe a problem.

FAQs

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

Use "a dire problem" to describe a situation with extremely serious or urgent negative consequences. For example, "The lack of clean water is "a dire problem" in many developing countries".

What are some alternatives to "a dire problem"?

You can use alternatives such as "a critical issue", "a grave concern", or "a serious crisis" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a dire problem"?

It is appropriate to use "a dire problem" when the situation presents significant risks, potential for severe negative outcomes, and demands immediate attention. Using it for trivial issues would be an exaggeration.

Is "a dire problem" interchangeable with "a serious problem"?

While both describe significant issues, "a dire problem" suggests a higher level of urgency and potential for catastrophic consequences compared to "a serious problem". The choice depends on the severity you want to convey.