a grass roots problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grass roots problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an issue that originates from the local community or is driven by the collective efforts of ordinary people rather than from top-down initiatives. Example: "The organization is focusing on a grass roots problem, aiming to address the needs of the community directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Odetta had no qualms signing with a grass roots operation.

The New York Times

When we initially started it was a grass roots community building effort.

TechCrunch

Bernie Sanders is running a grass roots campaign.

Huffington Post

Build a grass roots following early on.

Huffington Post

It has been a grass roots, organic approach without a huge PR machine behind her.

Huffington Post

McCaskill seems to be under the impression that the Teabaggings were a "grass roots" phenomenon.

Huffington Post

I picture one friend telling another; a grass roots approach to fame.

Huffington Post

We have a grass roots effort of political leaders committed to passing the PDRA.

Huffington Post

(The Supreme Court's terrifying Citizens United ruling could use a grass roots remedy).

Huffington Post

I also think that the academy needs to be more engaged in a grass roots way.

Huffington Post

"There was a grit and a grass roots vibe, too, that most definitely spoke to me".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grass roots problem", ensure the context clearly indicates the issue originates from the community level and requires local involvement. Avoid using it for problems stemming from higher organizational levels.

Common error

Avoid using "a grass roots problem" to describe issues that actually originate from top-down decisions or systemic failures within a larger organization. This can misrepresent the true source of the problem and hinder effective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grass roots problem" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object depending on the sentence structure. It describes the nature or origin of a problem, emphasizing its community-based roots.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grass roots problem" is a noun phrase used to describe an issue that originates within a community and requires local involvement. While grammatically correct, Ludwig indicates that the phrase lacks examples in its database. This suggests it might be a less common or more nuanced expression. Related phrases such as "a community-driven issue" or "a local concern" could be suitable alternatives depending on the specific context. It's essential to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the problem genuinely stems from the community level to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grassroots concern

This alternative simply omits the word 'problem', retaining the original meaning.

a community-driven issue

Focuses on the community being the driving force behind the problem.

an issue stemming from the community

This alternative uses a different sentence structure to express the origin of the problem.

a locally sourced difficulty

Highlights the local origin of the problem, using "sourced" to emphasize its roots.

a bottom-up challenge

Emphasizes the challenge arising from the base level of a system or organization.

a citizen-led concern

Stresses the role of citizens in identifying and addressing the problem.

a neighborhood-level issue

Specifies that the problem is confined to a particular neighborhood.

a ground-level concern

Highlights the basic or fundamental nature of the issue.

a district-based difficulty

Pinpoints the problem to a specific district or region.

a resident-initiated problem

Focuses on residents being the initiators or discoverers of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "a grass roots problem" in a sentence?

You can use "a grass roots problem" to describe an issue that originates within a community and requires local action to resolve. For example, "The lack of affordable housing is "a grass roots problem" that needs community-led solutions."

What's a good alternative to "a grass roots problem"?

Alternatives include "a community-driven issue", "a local concern", or "a bottom-up challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the term "a grass roots problem"?

Yes, it's inappropriate if the problem originates from a higher authority or systemic issue rather than from the community itself. In such cases, using a term like "a systemic issue" or "a top-down problem" would be more accurate.

What distinguishes "a grass roots problem" from a regular problem?

"A grass roots problem" specifically highlights that the issue stems from the community level and requires local involvement, distinguishing it from problems that originate from other sources or levels of an organization.