a problem of individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problem of individuals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing issues that pertain specifically to individual people rather than groups or systems. Example: "The study revealed that the increase in anxiety levels was largely a problem of individuals rather than a societal issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This wasn't a problem of individuals, this was a problem of failure of a system.

The Guardian - Business

Though many people may see low registration and turnout rates as a problem of individuals not caring enough about their government, in fact it is the reverse -- our legislators care so little about the voting rights for Americans, and particularly Black Americans, that they have actually been rolling back the suffrage.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The term Islamophobia frames the forms of discrimination Muslims face in the US solely as a problem of religious discrimination, and suggests that it is solely a problem of individual bias.

Columbia University

I tell them it can seem a bit arbitrary at times, and many people are very critical of the way an event like a mass shooting in a school is presented as a problem of individual mental health when the gunman is a white.

Vice

Nonetheless, the counter position is that conflicting demands on practitioners from being both an agent of a company and an autonomous professional constitute a social and structural problem rather than a problem of individual ethics (Draper 2003; Samuels 2003).

Environmental Health Perspectives

For example, Scott's case of the medicalization of shyness shows how a biomedical approach to shyness 'reinforces the belief that this is a problem of individual minds rather than a reflection of social norms and values' that expect assertiveness, self-confidence, and gregarious participation in life; any deviation can and should be 'treated' (4).

Global Health Action

On the other hand, it is now well established that HIV/AIDS is a broad development issue and not merely a disease and that it is not just a problem of individual behaviour but is influenced by social, economic, cultural marginalisation and gender inequality [ 2].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Repeated brutality that is not addressed by higher-ups is a systemic problem, not a problem of rogue individuals.

Harvard Business Review

Each of them provided a relevance ranking of the 8, 104 genes and these rankings were combined into an ensemble one as a problem of aggregation of individual preferences [ 27] (Table 1).

BMC Cancer

32 However, obesity was associated with symptoms of bulimia and food preoccupation with DE in women ≥30 years of age, concurrent with findings from a large Austrian study, which showed that DE is not only a problem of severely underweight individuals but also probably an even greater problem for overweight individuals and individuals with obesity.

BMJ Open

There is a socially inspirational thrust to the film; this is less a picture of a problem than of individuals who have managed not to become part of it: to find an outlet, to finish high school -- most, maybe all, are the first in their families to do that -- and go on to college.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a problem of individuals", ensure that the context clearly supports attributing the issue to specific persons rather than broader systemic causes. This helps avoid misinterpretations and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a problem of individuals" to dismiss systemic issues. Ensure that the issue genuinely stems from individual actions or characteristics, not from structural inequalities or organizational failures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problem of individuals" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the source or cause of an issue. This construction emphasizes that the problem originates from specific persons rather than broader systemic factors. As shown in Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

35%

Academia

35%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a problem of individuals" is a phrase used to attribute an issue to the actions or characteristics of specific persons. While grammatically correct, as Ludwig AI confirms, its usage should be approached with caution, as oversimplification can obscure systemic causes. The phrase appears most frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, consider whether systemic factors contribute to the problem before attributing it solely to individuals, and ensure this attribution is adequately supported by evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a personal problem

Simple and direct alternative.

an issue concerning individuals

Broadens the scope to include more than one person.

a problem specific to an individual

Emphasizes the unique nature of the problem.

a difficulty faced by individuals

Focuses on the hardship experienced by people.

an individual's issue

Focuses on the problem as belonging to a single person.

an individual challenge

Emphasizes the difficulty faced by one person.

a personal struggle

Highlights the difficulty experienced by a person.

a matter of personal responsibility

Shifts focus to the obligation of an individual.

an instance of individual failing

Directly points to a person's failure.

a predicament of a person

Highlights the difficult situation of an individual.

FAQs

How can I use "a problem of individuals" in a sentence?

Use "a problem of individuals" to describe situations where the root cause lies in the actions or characteristics of specific people, rather than broader systemic issues. For example: "The company's declining sales were primarily a problem of individuals lacking the necessary skills".

What are some alternatives to "a problem of individuals"?

You can use alternatives like "an individual's issue", "a personal problem", or "an issue concerning individuals" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to frame an issue as "a problem of individuals"?

No, it's crucial to consider whether systemic factors or broader issues are at play. Attributing a problem solely to individuals can be misleading if the context involves organizational failures, structural inequalities, or other widespread influences. Consider the usage and definitions before attributing "a systemic problem".

What's the difference between "a problem of individuals" and "a systemic problem"?

"A problem of individuals" implies that the issue arises from the actions, qualities, or shortcomings of specific people. In contrast, "a systemic problem" indicates that the issue is embedded within the structure, policies, or processes of a larger organization or system.