a recurring problem in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recurring problem in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an issue that repeatedly occurs within a specific context or area. Example: "The company has identified a recurring problem in its supply chain management that needs to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

This is a recurring problem in "The Romantics".

The New York Times - Books

Disparity in the size of constituencies has been a recurring problem in legislative apportionment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Escaped cattle appear to be a recurring problem in western Queens.

The New York Times

Kidnappings have become a recurring problem in Mexico City, whose government has retained Rudolph W. Giuliani as an anticrime consultant.

The New York Times

Floods are a recurring problem in Bangladesh, which is in a delta crossed by three major rivers and many tributaries.

The New York Times

The hornet attacks are a recurring problem in the area from May to as late as November.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

In spite of the limitations outlined above, census data allow us to deal with a recurring problem observed in site-specific data, in which a few villages or areas are surveyed, and data lack sufficient variation capturing the agricultural potential (Doss 2006).

Latin American Economic Review

This is a recurring problem with many studies in this area; the numbers are small, raising questions about generalizability of results [ 3, 4].

Critical Care

That has been a recurring problem during a league campaign in which they have failed to score in 19 of 35 matches.

The Guardian - Sport

Drought is a recurring problem limiting nodulation and N2 fixation in crop production particularly in tropical and semiarid tropical areas [ 19, 20].

BioMed Research International

"That is nonsense, and a recurring problem with this police position in this case," said Simon McKay, author of the book Covert policing: law and practice.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a recurring problem in", clearly specify the context in which the problem occurs to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "a recurring problem in project management" rather than just "a recurring problem".

Common error

Avoid using "a recurring problem in" without providing sufficient context. Saying something is "a recurring problem" without specifying where or why can make your statement vague and less impactful. Instead, be specific about the area in which the problem is recurring.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recurring problem in" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and characterizes a specific issue that repeatedly occurs within a particular context. Ludwig shows many examples from various domains, indicating its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a recurring problem in" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a persistent issue within a specific context. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific literature, and formal business documents. While it's essential to use the phrase with clear context to avoid vagueness, it effectively draws attention to issues needing resolution. Alternatives include "a persistent issue in" and "a frequent challenge in", each offering slight variations in meaning. Ultimately, understanding and using "a recurring problem in" correctly enhances clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persistent issue in

Changes "recurring problem" to "persistent issue", focusing on the continuous nature of the problem.

a frequent challenge in

Substitutes "recurring problem" with "frequent challenge", highlighting the difficulty involved.

a common difficulty in

Replaces "recurring problem" with "common difficulty", emphasizing the widespread nature of the problem.

an ongoing concern in

Uses "ongoing concern" instead of "recurring problem", shifting the focus to worry or anxiety.

a repeated obstacle in

Employs "repeated obstacle" instead of "recurring problem", highlighting the impediment aspect.

a regular setback in

Changes "recurring problem" to "regular setback", focusing on the hindrance to progress.

a continuing snag in

Replaces "recurring problem" with "continuing snag", suggesting a minor difficulty that persists.

a chronic issue in

Uses "chronic issue" instead of "recurring problem", emphasizing the long-lasting nature of the problem.

a perpetual headache in

Substitutes "recurring problem" with "perpetual headache", highlighting the frustrating aspect.

a routine hiccup in

Replaces "recurring problem" with "routine hiccup", suggesting a minor and expected problem.

FAQs

How do you use "a recurring problem in" in a sentence?

Use "a recurring problem in" to describe an issue that happens repeatedly within a specific situation or area. For example: "Delays are "a recurring problem in" our supply chain."

What are some alternatives to "a recurring problem in"?

You can use alternatives such as "a persistent issue in", "a frequent challenge in", or "an ongoing concern in" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "recurring" or "recurrent" problem?

"Recurring" and "recurrent" are often interchangeable, but "recurring" implies a more sporadic return, while "recurrent" suggests a cyclical return. In most contexts, either word will be suitable, but "recurring" is often preferred in general use.

What does "a recurring problem" imply?

The term "a recurring problem" implies that an issue is not only happening now but has also happened multiple times in the past, suggesting a pattern that may need addressing to prevent future occurrences.