a lot of problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of problem" is not correct in English.
The correct form is "a lot of problems." You can use it when discussing multiple issues or difficulties in a situation. Example: "There are a lot of problems we need to address before the project can move forward."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"They are doing a lot of problem solving and strategizing.

Independent

"I was doing a lot of problem sets by myself, time in my room," he said.

The New York Times

He has a lot of problem in his private life but he didn't want to go anywhere.

The Guardian - Sport

"We don't have a lot of problem guys; we have got a lot of good team chemistry and everybody cares, everybody cares," Saban said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Each couple had to do a lot of problem solving to work out their systems for sleeping together," Dr. Rosenblatt said.

The New York Times - Health

Though it may sound rather clinical – especially at a time when you may perhaps feel more certain than ever about your relationship – it will save you a lot of problem should you break up with your partner.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"I have experience with him, and a lot of problem-solving".

The New Yorker

"It could create a lot of problems".

The New York Times

But I have a lot of problems".

The New York Times

Liu Xiaobo had a lot of problems.

The New York Times

That would solve a lot of problems".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "problems" when referring to multiple issues. Instead of saying "a lot of problem", use "a lot of problems" or "many problems".

Common error

The phrase "a lot of problem" is incorrect because "problem" should be plural ("problems") when used with "a lot of" to denote multiple issues. Always ensure subject-verb agreement and correct pluralization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of problem" functions incorrectly as a noun phrase intended to denote a multitude of issues. According to Ludwig, this phrase is not correct in English, as it violates basic subject-verb agreement and pluralization rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lot of problem" is grammatically incorrect in English; the proper form is "a lot of problems". This correction ensures the noun agrees in number with the quantifier "a lot of". According to Ludwig, the incorrect usage is a fundamental error. To convey the intended meaning of multiple issues or difficulties, it's essential to use the plural form. Alternatives like "many problems", "numerous issues", and "several difficulties" can also be used, depending on the context and desired level of formality. Therefore, always remember to pluralize the noun following "a lot of" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many problems

Replaces "a lot of" with "many" to create a grammatically correct plural form.

numerous issues

Substitutes "a lot of" with "numerous" and "problem" with "issues" for a more formal tone.

several difficulties

Uses "several" instead of "a lot of" and "difficulties" instead of "problem" to indicate multiple challenges.

a great deal of trouble

Replaces "problem" with "trouble" and uses "a great deal of" for emphasis, maintaining a similar meaning.

plenty of problems

Employs "plenty of" as a synonym for "a lot of", keeping the plural form "problems".

a multitude of issues

Replaces "a lot of" with "a multitude of" and "problem" with "issues" for a more emphatic and formal tone.

an abundance of problems

Uses "an abundance of" to convey a large quantity of problems.

various challenges

Replaces "a lot of problem" with "various challenges" to focus on the challenging aspect of the issues.

considerable difficulties

Emphasizes the significance of the difficulties using "considerable" instead of a quantity.

a host of problems

Uses "a host of" to indicate a large number of problems in a slightly more literary way.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "a lot of problem"?

The correct phrase is "a lot of problems". Always use the plural form of "problem" when using "a lot of" to refer to multiple issues.

What is a more formal way to say "a lot of problems"?

You can use phrases like "numerous issues", "several difficulties", or "a multitude of issues" for a more formal tone.

Is it ever correct to use "problem" in the singular after "a lot of"?

No, it's not correct. The phrase "a lot of" indicates a plural quantity, so it must be followed by a plural noun such as "a lot of problems".

What's the difference between "a lot of problem" and "a lot of problems"?

"A lot of problem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a lot of problems", which means there are many issues or difficulties.