a grievous problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grievous problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or severe issue that causes distress or difficulty. Example: "The community is facing a grievous problem with rising crime rates that needs immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That seems a grievous problem set against the discomfort of a relatively small colony of marmosets – numbering just a few hundred over the past decade – whose suffering has dramatically improved the treatment of the disease.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Still, it was the car that went airborne and then got stuck on top of a boulder in the middle of a neighborhood traffic island that convinced many residents that they still had a grievous speeding problem problem in their neighborhood, which has both a large number of children, as well as synagogues, that encourage their members to walk to services.

The New York Times

For all the setbacks in drilling the rescue shaft, the most grievous problem was the lack of discernible tapping signals from below for more than a day.

The New York Times

Although left-of-center as far as billionaires go, he's a strong supporter of Israel's conservative government and also one of those very rich people who's convinced that the national debt is America's most grievous problem, once piously refusing to donate any of his vast fortune to either political party until a comprehensive debt deal emerged from Congress.

Vice

Although left-of-centre as far as billionaires go, he's a strong supporter of Israel's conservative government and also one of those very rich people who's convinced that the national debt is America's most grievous problem, once piously refusing to donate any of his vast fortune to either political party until a comprehensive debt deal emerged from Congress.

Vice

This unplanned Keynesianism produced a long boom, but bequeathed grievous problems to his successors.

The Guardian

Yet supporters argue that it is essential for tackling the city's grievous problems, and part of a long process towards making its democratic institutions more representative of the people they are there to serve.

Huffington Post

Moreover, with such grievous problems to address, and an untested leader in Mr Zardari, the PPP-led government may well fail; this would be a further boost for Mr Sharif.But Mr Zardari will also have ways to clip his rival's ambitions.

The Economist

Not one of the candidates for the GOP presidential nomination who debated Monday night rose to a point of seriousness in addressing the nation's grievous problems.

Huffington Post

Poverty and poor health are grievous problems for many communities.

The New Yorker

Yet despite knowing for decades about grievous problems, Albany had never acted to reform the system meaningfully.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grievous problem" to describe situations that cause significant distress or suffering. It is more impactful than simply stating "a problem".

Common error

Avoid using "a grievous problem" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone is better suited for serious or somber situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grievous problem" functions as a noun phrase where "grievous" modifies the noun "problem". It's used to describe a particular situation that is characterized by significant suffering or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grievous problem" is a phrase used to describe a situation that is not only problematic but also causes significant suffering or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is more suited for formal and serious contexts, such as news reports or academic discussions, rather than casual conversations. While it shares similarities with phrases like "a serious issue" or "a grave concern", it carries a stronger emotional weight. Therefore, using it judiciously and being aware of its connotations is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious issue

Replaces "grievous" with "serious", indicating a severe but perhaps less intensely felt problem.

a grave concern

Substitutes "problem" with "concern", highlighting the worrying aspect rather than the problematic nature.

a critical difficulty

Emphasizes the severity and potential for failure associated with the problem.

a dire predicament

Suggests a situation that is extremely serious and difficult to resolve.

a significant challenge

Downplays the negative impact by framing the problem as something to overcome.

a major setback

Focuses on the hindering effect of the problem on progress or goals.

a troublesome matter

Indicates a problem that causes annoyance or difficulty.

a painful situation

Highlights the emotional distress caused by the problem.

a regrettable circumstance

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of the problem.

a calamitous event

Elevates the problem to the level of a disaster or catastrophe.

FAQs

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

You can use "a grievous problem" to describe a serious issue that is causing significant pain or suffering. For example: "The lack of access to clean water is "a grievous problem" for many communities."

What can I say instead of "a grievous problem"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious issue", "a grave concern", or "a critical difficulty" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a grievous problem" or "a serious problem"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""a grievous problem"" implies a deeper sense of sorrow or suffering than "a serious problem".

What's the difference between "a grievous problem" and "a major setback"?

"A grievous problem" emphasizes the severity and distress caused by an issue, while "a major setback" focuses on the hindering effect on progress or goals. The former is more about suffering, the latter about delayed progress.