a problem explains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problem explains" is not correct in standard written English.
It is unclear and does not convey a coherent meaning, as problems typically do not explain anything; rather, they may require explanations or solutions. Example: "The issue at hand is complex, and a problem explains the need for further investigation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's about being proactive rather than waiting for staff to come to us with a problem," explains Jones.

The Guardian

"A high tide is forecast on Christmas Day, which means that if we also have an area of low pressure and onshore winds, we could have a problem," explains Baker.

The Guardian

"Girls can live as a tomboy for much longer when they're younger, so it often doesn't show up as a problem," explains Dr Victoria Holt, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Gids. "We are getting more referrals all the time because people are more aware of the issue now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I got light periods so I probably only got eight a year so it wasn't that much of a problem," explains Baroness Grey-Thompson.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The police chief, William J. Kilfoil, while acknowledging "there's definitely a problem," explained that when people park in the heavily trafficked area in front of Mr. Mukherjee's store, "traffic backs up eastbound and parking there creates a dangerous situation for motorists and pedestrians, the worse stop on Main Street".

The New York Times

The company admitted there was a problem, explained that they were trying to fix it and are providing phone bumpers for users.

Forbes

Even the sheer number of applications, not just the individual tools themselves present a problem, explained Yuval Scarlat, CEO and co-founder of Capriza.

TechCrunch

Fodor's theory also has a problem explaining how the concept FAST contributes, differently, to the contents of FAST CAR, FAST DRIVER, FAST TRACK, and FAST TIME.

Wikipedia

"I try to convince people that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem," explains Hodges.

Independent

"Companies have a face problem," explains Katsumi Ihara, the head of Sony's electronics division.

The Economist

While disputes over gold mines tend to spark many of the area's larger conflicts, tribal clashes over the region's other natural resources also pose a serious problem, explains Cycmanick.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "a problem explains", consider rephrasing your sentence to clearly state what the problem reveals, highlights, or illustrates. This will make your writing more precise and easier to understand.

Common error

Avoid framing problems as entities that actively explain. Problems themselves don't explain; rather, they require explanation or highlight underlying issues. Using "a problem explains" can create a confusing or nonsensical sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problem explains" is grammatically questionable. According to Ludwig AI, it's not standard English, as problems don't typically explain; they require explanations. Examples in Ludwig show that other constructions, such as "a problem clarifies" or "a problem illustrates", are more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a problem explains" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI and is rarely used in standard English. While the intention might be to highlight a cause-and-effect relationship, the phrasing is awkward and ineffective. Instead, consider using alternatives like "a problem clarifies", "a problem highlights", or "a problem illustrates" for better clarity. The limited examples found come from news, science, and formal business contexts, but due to the phrase's grammatical issues, it should be avoided in formal writing. To improve your writing, focus on making problems reveal, illustrate, or highlight underlying issues rather than framing them as entities that actively explain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a problem clarifies

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand, shifting from direct explanation to illumination.

a problem highlights

Emphasizes the significance or importance of something related to the problem, changing the focus to prominence.

a problem illustrates

Uses the problem as an example to demonstrate or explain something else, changing the role of the problem to an illustration.

a problem indicates

Suggests the presence or likelihood of something else based on the problem, changing the relationship to one of indication.

a problem reveals

Uncovers or discloses something previously unknown through the problem, altering the relationship to a revelation.

a problem stems from

Indicates the origin or cause of the problem, reversing the direction of explanation.

the cause of the problem is

Directly identifies the reason or source behind the problem, emphasizing a clear causal link.

the problem arises from

Points to the origin or source from which the problem emerges, highlighting the emergence rather than an explanation.

the reason for the problem is

States explicitly the justification or explanation for why the problem exists, stressing the rationale.

the problem is due to

Attributes the problem to a specific cause or reason, establishing a direct causal relationship.

FAQs

What does it mean when we say a problem "reveals" something?

When we say a problem "reveals" something, it means the problem uncovers or brings to light an underlying issue, cause, or situation that was not previously known or understood. You can also use alternatives like "a problem highlights" or "a problem indicates".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a problem explains"?

No, it is not grammatically correct to say "a problem explains". A problem doesn't typically explain something; rather, it requires an explanation or highlights an issue. Consider using phrases like "a problem clarifies" or "the problem is due to" instead.

How can I use "a problem" in a sentence to show a cause-and-effect relationship?

To show a cause-and-effect relationship using "a problem", you can rephrase your sentence to clearly indicate what the problem leads to or what causes it. For example, instead of "a problem explains", try "the problem is due to" or "the problem results in". You could also say something like "a problem stems from".

What are some alternatives to "a problem explains" that convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives to "a problem explains" include phrases such as "a problem illustrates", "a problem highlights", or "a problem reveals". These phrases emphasize that the problem brings something to light or makes something clearer.