a problem to handle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a problem to handle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a situation or issue that requires attention or resolution. Example: "The project has encountered a significant delay, and now we have a problem to handle before we can proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It leads to a problem to handle such data especially for their annotation to reach a conclusion.

The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But that is an easier problem to handle.

Forbes

Our method addresses the detection of all HTs genome wide as a multiple-testing problem to handle this large number of identity-based detections and to control the proportion of false positives in the results (Wei et al. 2009).

Genome Biology and Evolution

One major change will be to reduce sharply the variety of computer configurations it offers so that each variation the company sells can be more thoroughly tested and service representatives have a smaller range of problems to handle.

The New York Times

But some innovations are bolder, like a series of software tools that simplify the way it can divide a problem to be handled by thousands of processors simultaneously, an approach called parallel processing.

The New York Times - Tech

But immigration from developing up countries (not G7 and not BRICS) is a problem to be handled by the entire world.

Huffington Post

Another example of a research problem difficult to handle by logistic regression model is when an outcome is determined not only by direct influences of the predictor variables but also by their unobserved common cause.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

All this theft created a logistical problem: how to handle the tidal flow of money.

The Guardian

As the season progresses, Girardi will face a new problem — how to handle the returning players and the veterans who flourished in their absence.

The New York Times

The trainees also asked mentors and peers of their day-release group for advice on how to proceed when a problem was difficult to handle or had a strong emotional or personal effect on them.

BMC Medical Education

Direct them to a therapist or psychologist - this is too big a problem for anyone to handle on his or her own.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a problem to handle", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the problem for effective communication. For instance, instead of saying "We have a problem to handle", specify it as "We have a logistical problem to handle regarding the distribution of resources."

Common error

Avoid using "a problem to handle" without providing sufficient context, as it can leave the audience unsure of the issue's specifics and urgency. Be specific about the issue and the approach to manage it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a problem to handle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something requiring attention or management. Ludwig's examples show it used across various contexts, highlighting its role in introducing issues needing resolution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a problem to handle" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates the existence of an issue needing attention or resolution. Ludwig highlights that it's found in a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While versatile, it's best practice to provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "an issue to resolve" or "a challenge to overcome" can offer nuanced variations depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an issue to resolve

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and "handle" with "resolve", suggesting a more formal and decisive approach.

a matter to address

Replaces "problem" with "matter" and "handle" with "address", indicating a need for attention and discussion.

a challenge to overcome

Substitutes "problem" with "challenge" and "handle" with "overcome", framing the situation as something to be conquered.

a difficulty to manage

Substitutes "problem" with "difficulty" and "handle" with "manage", emphasizing the need for control and organization.

a situation to remedy

Replaces "problem" with "situation" and "handle" with "remedy", suggesting a need for correction or improvement.

a concern to take care of

Replaces "problem" with "concern" and "handle" with "take care of", indicating a need for attention and resolution.

an obstacle to navigate

Substitutes "problem" with "obstacle" and "handle" with "navigate", framing the situation as something to be carefully maneuvered around.

a predicament to sort out

Replaces "problem" with "predicament" and "handle" with "sort out", suggesting a need for clarification and organization.

a snag to fix

Substitutes "problem" with "snag" and "handle" with "fix", indicating a minor issue that needs to be resolved quickly.

a hitch to resolve

Replaces "problem" with "hitch" and "handle" with "resolve", implying a temporary difficulty that needs to be addressed.

FAQs

How can I use "a problem to handle" in a sentence?

You can use "a problem to handle" to describe a situation that requires attention or resolution, such as, "The team has "a problem to handle" before the project can proceed."

What can I say instead of "a problem to handle"?

You can use alternatives like "an issue to resolve", "a challenge to overcome", or "a matter to address" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a problem to handle" or "an issue to address"?

Both "a problem to handle" and "an issue to address" are correct. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Problem" can imply something more urgent or difficult, while "issue" is often more neutral.

What's the difference between "a problem to handle" and "a problem to solve"?

"A problem to handle" suggests managing or dealing with the issue, whereas "a problem to solve" implies finding a solution to eliminate the issue. Handling might involve mitigation or temporary measures, while solving aims for a permanent fix.