a problem however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problem however" is not correct as it stands and is not typically usable in written English without additional context or punctuation.
It can be used when introducing a contrasting point or exception related to a problem previously mentioned, often requiring a comma before "however." Example: "The project was progressing well; a problem, however, arose when the budget was cut."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There's a problem, however.

The New Yorker

There is a problem, however.

The New York Times

Inflation could be a problem, however.

The Economist

There was a problem, however.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is a problem however.

MIT Technology Review

Even layoffs pose a problem, however.

The New York Times - Magazine

The sky was still a problem, however.

The New York Times - Sports

That leads to a problem, however.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There's a major problem, however, with a CO2-centric strategy.

Los Angeles Times

It is a good indicator of a potential problem, however.

Forbes

The United States poses a different problem, however.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a problem however", ensure you insert a comma before "however" to improve clarity and grammatical correctness. For instance: "The initial plan seemed flawless; a problem, however, soon emerged."

Common error

Don't use "a problem however" without a preceding independent clause or context. This phrase requires a clear statement of what the apparent solution or situation is, prior to introducing the contrasting problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase typically functions as a transitional phrase, introducing a contrast or exception to a preceding statement. It highlights a difficulty that arises despite an initial positive assessment or expectation. As Ludwig explains, it needs a comma before "however".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a problem however" is frequently encountered across diverse sources, including news, science, and academic publications, signalling its widespread usage. However, Ludwig emphasizes that this phrase typically requires a comma before "however" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. The primary function of this phrase is to introduce a contrast or exception to a preceding statement, tempering initial optimism or presenting a more balanced perspective. While prevalent, writers should be mindful of potential ambiguity and ensure a clear connection between the initial statement and the introduced problem. Alternatives such as ""a difficulty nevertheless"" or ""an issue on the other hand"" can offer greater precision or formality, depending on the desired tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difficulty nevertheless

Replaces "problem" with "difficulty" and "however" with "nevertheless", maintaining a similar level of formality but altering the specific wording.

an issue on the other hand

Substitutes "problem" with "issue" and uses "on the other hand" to introduce the contrasting element, providing a slightly more balanced perspective.

a challenge nonetheless

Replaces "problem" with "challenge" and "however" with "nonetheless", suggesting a more proactive approach to the situation.

a complication still

Emphasizes the complexity introduced by the problem by using the word "complication", while "still" provides a slightly less formal tone than "however".

a drawback conversely

Highlights the negative aspect of the situation using "drawback", with "conversely" offering a direct contrast.

a snag in contrast

Uses more informal language like "snag" to denote the problem, with "in contrast" providing a clear indication of opposition.

a hurdle even so

Depicts the problem as an obstacle to overcome with the word "hurdle", while "even so" softens the contrast slightly.

a hitch all the same

Replaces "problem" with the more casual "hitch" and uses "all the same" to convey a sense of persistence despite the issue.

a setback be that as it may

Highlights the regressive nature of the problem with "setback", and introduces the contrasting point using the more formal phrase "be that as it may".

a stumbling block yet

Illustrates the problem as something that hinders progress using "stumbling block", while "yet" provides a concise way to introduce the contrast.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "a problem however" in a sentence?

To use "a problem however" correctly, place a comma before "however" to set it off as an interrupter. For example, "The design was innovative; a problem, however, remained in its execution."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a problem however"?

You can use alternatives like "a difficulty nevertheless", "an issue on the other hand", or "a challenge nonetheless" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a problem however" without any punctuation?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a problem however" is not grammatically correct without punctuation. Adding a comma before "however" improves its readability and grammatical validity.

What's the difference between "a problem however" and "however, there's a problem"?

"A problem, however," typically emphasizes the problem as a contrasting element after an initial statement, while "However, there's a problem" introduces the problem more directly at the beginning of the sentence.