a litany of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a litany of problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a long list or series of issues or difficulties, often implying that they are numerous and perhaps overwhelming. Example: "The report highlighted a litany of problems that the company faced, including budget overruns and staffing shortages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"There's been a litany of problems," Mr. Hagan said.

The New York Times

Ms. Lindsley goes through a litany of problems that have caused her grave concern.

The New York Times

Chocolate has been implicated in causing a litany of problems including acne and obesity.

The Economist

We're still work on the recognition of accents, and there are a litany of problems.

The Guardian - Tech

The election, one of the most unusual in recent Southeast Asian history, was complicated by a litany of problems.

The New York Times

And rats were only the beginning of a litany of problems, from family turmoil to health scares.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The unfortunately named genre of chick lit often employs characters that are as stock as those in traditional romance: single women in their 20's or 30's, usually in an unpromising job and with a litany of relationship problems.

The New York Times - Books

The agreement also leaves unresolved a litany of structural problems, executives say.

The New York Times

France, too, has a litany of behavioral problems to overcome before it wins back anything like the affection that soccer enjoyed in the country a decade ago.

The New York Times - Sports

The downturn coincided with a litany of other problems, including Madrid's crackdown on illegal construction permits and the aftermath of several massive corruption investigations.

The New York Times

Mr. Colón's song, written by a Venezuelan actor, Rolando Padilla, runs through a litany of the problems in Venezuela, like collapsing bridges, a currency devaluation, electrical blackouts and rampant crime.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a litany of problems" to emphasize the extensive and repetitive nature of the issues being discussed. It adds a touch of formality and seriousness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a litany of problems" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "lots of issues" or "many problems" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a litany of problems" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It describes a long and often tedious list of issues, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a litany of problems" is a noun phrase used to describe a long and often tedious list of issues. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While its usage is generally neutral to formal, it's advisable to avoid it in very informal contexts. Alternatives include "a multitude of issues" or "a series of difficulties" depending on the desired tone. Therefore, it’s a useful phrase for emphasizing the extent of difficulties in a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of issues

Replaces "litany" with "multitude" indicating a large number, slightly less formal.

a series of difficulties

Replaces "litany of problems" with a more general phrase, reducing the intensity.

a long list of concerns

Focuses on "concerns" rather than "problems", softening the negative connotation.

an array of challenges

Uses "challenges" instead of "problems", presenting a more optimistic perspective.

a host of complications

Emphasizes the complexity and entanglement of the issues.

a string of setbacks

Highlights the negative impact of the issues on progress.

a catalog of errors

Implies mistakes or faults as the source of the problems.

a chain of unfortunate events

Suggests a sequence of negative occurrences leading to the problems.

a mountain of obstacles

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the magnitude of the problems.

a barrel of woes

An idiomatic expression conveying a large quantity of troubles, more informal.

FAQs

How can I use "a litany of problems" in a sentence?

You can use "a litany of problems" to describe a long series of issues, for example: "The project was delayed due to "a litany of problems" with the supply chain."

What are some alternatives to "a litany of problems"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a multitude of issues", "a series of difficulties", or "a long list of concerns".

Is "litany" always negative?

Yes, "litany" generally carries a negative connotation, implying a tedious or repetitive enumeration of negative things. Therefore, "a litany of" is typically followed by undesirable nouns such as "problems", "complaints", or "failures".

What is the difference between "a series of problems" and "a litany of problems"?

While both phrases refer to multiple problems, "a litany of problems" suggests a more extensive and burdensome collection of issues than "a series of problems". "Litany" implies a drawn-out and often repetitive account.