a homework problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a homework problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific question or task assigned to students as part of their homework. Example: "I struggled with a homework problem that involved complex algebraic equations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Years ago, when I was in high school, my physics teacher gave the class a homework problem: calculating the trajectory of a ball swinging from the ceiling by a piece of chewing gum.

The New York Times

Here is an example of my thought process as I attempted a homework problem: O.K. N,N-dimethylbutanamide is hydrolyzed faster in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution than is butanamide itself.

The New York Times

That claim isn't likely to win over many skeptics, but even some theorists who favor the standard theory say the analysis hands them a homework problem they should solve.

Science Magazine

The other twin came to him with a homework problem.

Huffington Post

Online, any time you don't understand a homework problem, there are always options and tools".

Los Angeles Times

It could be a homework problem or where to buy the latest gadget.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Both courses had regular online homework assignments worth 17% of their grade (majors had 11 and nonmajors had 8; see Supplemental Material A for homework problem examples).

CBE Life Sciences Education

As Tyler Cowen wrote last week: "advocates of fiscal stimulus make it sound as simple as solving an undergraduate homework problem and... sometimes genuinely do not realize how much the rest of the world, including politicians, views them as simply being very convinced by their own theory".

The New York Times

For majors, all homework problems were multiple-choice; for nonmajors, they were a mixture of multiple-choice and short answer (most commonly used to ask the students to describe their reasoning or make connections between topics).

CBE Life Sciences Education

This homework problem examines the physics of pressure and flow as a means of understanding arteriosclerosis.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Assessment: Software grades quizzes, homework, problem sets; five other students grade written responses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic challenges, use "a homework problem" to clearly refer to specific assignments given to students. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in educational contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a homework problem" to describe broader life issues or challenges that are not directly related to academic assignments. Maintain clarity by reserving the phrase for its intended context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a homework problem" functions as a noun phrase and typically acts as the object of a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, indicating it is grammatically sound and serves to identify a specific type of academic assignment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a homework problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to assignments given to students. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its usage spans across News & Media, Wiki, and Science, making it a versatile term. While it's generally acceptable in neutral registers, it's important to avoid overgeneralizing its use to contexts outside of academic assignments. For alternatives, consider using "a school assignment question" or "an exercise question" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a problem for homework

Reorders the phrase while maintaining the core meaning.

a school assignment question

Replaces "problem" with "question" and specifies the context as a school assignment.

a question on an assignment

Breaks down the phrase for clarity.

an exercise question

Substitutes "homework" with "exercise", focusing on the task's nature.

a home study question

Combines "home" and "study" to suggest learning done at home.

a study task

Uses broader terms, applicable to various learning activities.

a set work query

Uses British English terms.

a learning challenge

Emphasizes the difficulty aspect of the homework.

a classroom assignment

Replaces "homework" with "classroom", focusing on where it was assigned.

a scholastic task

Replaces common words with more formal alternatives.

FAQs

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

You might say, "I spent hours trying to solve "a homework problem" in calculus last night" or "My child is struggling with "a homework problem" about the American Revolution".

What's a good alternative to "a homework problem"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a school assignment question", "an exercise question", or "a study task".

Is it correct to say "homework problem" or "a homework problem"?

While "homework problem" is sometimes used informally, "a homework problem" is generally more grammatically correct, especially in formal writing, because it includes the article "a" before the singular noun phrase.

What is the difference between "a homework problem" and "a test question"?

"A homework problem" refers to a question or exercise assigned for completion outside of class, whereas "a test question" is a question included in an exam or assessment administered during class or as a formal evaluation.