a problem of plenty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problem of plenty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of having too much of something being a problem in itself. For example: "Living in a wealthy neighborhood can sometimes be a problem of plenty, as it can be difficult to manage expectations from everyone around you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

SwiftRiver grew out of a problem of plenty.

The New York Times

When I asked Mr. Kapoor for his take on what had happened in the United States, he replied: "We recognize it as a problem of plenty.

The New York Times

But as producers tap ever more oil and gas, they are also exposing major shortcomings in the country's transportation system and grappling with a problem of plenty: how to move all that product to market?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I know that it won't be a problem for plenty of people, particularly those who are used to using Bluetooth headsets.

TechCrunch

"This isn't a problem of supply – there are plenty of law students and young lawyers who care about social justice and are motivated by wanting to make a difference, particularly to vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups".

The Guardian

The retention issue would not be so much of a problem if plenty of new teachers were coming through, but last month figures from Ucas revealed major shortfalls in trainee teacher numbers for the new academic year.

The Guardian

Add to that it's solving a problem plenty of brands desperately want someone– someone other than random social media "experts"– to solve.

TechCrunch

Neither Jordan nor LAL had much to share about LAL's progress aside from the funding, but it's clear that A-H has high hopes for the company and how it will deliver local context (which is a problem plenty of other apps are trying to solve as well).

TechCrunch

That way, he said, in his principal role as Goldman's chief financial officer, he can perceive a problem in plenty of time to do something about it.

The New York Times

Nadella's tone-deaf advice reflects a problem that plenty of other executives have been hesitant to recognize.

Huffington Post

Yes, we are underrepresented in the media, and yes this is a problem, but plenty of black LBTQ folk are responding online with web series: Finding Me, What's the Function, or The DL Chroniclesto state a few; we are also providing our own commentary on culture and politics.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a problem of plenty" to describe situations where an abundance of something creates unexpected difficulties or challenges, such as managing excess inventory or dealing with an oversupply of talent.

Common error

Avoid using "a problem of plenty" simply to mean 'a lot of something'. It specifically refers to situations where the abundance itself is the source of the problem, not just a neutral observation of quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problem of plenty" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object to describe a situation where abundance leads to difficulties. It highlights the paradox of having too much of something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a problem of plenty" aptly describes scenarios where having too much of something creates unexpected challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, even if the occurrences are rare. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to express the complex implications of overabundance, highlighting how surplus can lead to difficulties. When using this phrase, ensure that the abundance itself is the root cause of the problem, not just a descriptive observation. While the "abundance paradox" or "embarrassment of riches" can be used as alternatives, "a problem of plenty" offers a unique perspective on the complexities arising from surplus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance paradox

Highlights the contradictory nature of abundance creating problems.

embarrassment of riches

Emphasizes the difficulty in choosing or managing excessive options.

glut of resources

Focuses on the oversupply of resources.

excessive abundance

Highlights the excessive amount of abundance.

overabundance issue

Emphasizes the problematic nature of overabundance.

surfeit of goods

Focuses on having more goods than needed.

oversupply challenge

Highlights the difficulty of managing an oversupply.

plethora of options

Focuses on the difficulty of choosing between too many options.

wealth-induced woes

Emphasizes the issues caused by wealth.

resource curse

Focuses on how natural resources can paradoxically hinder development.

FAQs

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

You can use "a problem of plenty" to describe a situation where having too much of something creates difficulties. For example, "The company faced "a problem of plenty" when its marketing campaign generated an overwhelming number of leads, straining its sales team.

What's a good substitute for "a problem of plenty"?

Alternatives include "abundance paradox", "embarrassment of riches", or "glut of resources", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a problem with plenty" instead of "a problem of plenty"?

While "a problem with plenty" might be understandable, "a problem of plenty" is the idiomatic and more widely accepted phrasing. It specifically highlights the abundance itself as the source of the issue.

What are some real-world examples of "a problem of plenty"?

Examples include an agricultural sector struggling with overproduction leading to depressed prices, or a city with too many tourists straining its infrastructure and resources. In essence, any situation where an excess creates unintended negative consequences.