a same problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a same problem" is not correct in written English.
The correct expression is "the same problem." Example: "We are facing the same problem as last year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As there is no infrastructure provided by the social media sites for such organizations, there can be two organizations responding to a same problem determined from the data gathered from a particular site, at the same time.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Ensemble learning is a machine learning method, in which multileaners are applied to tackle a same problem.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, nowadays wearing a press credential is almost like wearing a scarlet 'A.' " We have the same problem in Los Angeles.

The New York Times

Now, we have a bit the same problem as back then.

Comparative Migration Studies

A nonisothermal analysis of the same problem, for an exothermic reaction, indicates a shift in the optimum catalyst dilution towards higher dilutions.

Chemical Engineering Science

In the context of an organization -- be it a small team or a public company -- the same problem occurs.

Forbes

Friendship is, on a smaller scale, a solution to the same problem, for it comes from sympathy through imagination.

SEP

Akamai, which counts Yahoo among its big clients, takes a different approach to the same problem, with a technique called content distribution.

The New York Times

Vivek Wadhwa wrote a compelling blog on the same problem in a closely related area 'The glaring gender dilemma Silicon Valley venture capitalists are hiding from'.

Huffington Post

The marquee events in the N.B.A. seem plagued by the same problem: a lack of mystery, a hankering for suspense.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a tiny expression of a serious problem, the same problem behind every serious sub-problem you list — abuse of power.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article "the" instead of "a" when referring to "same problem". The correct phrase is "the same problem".

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" with "same problem". Always use the definite article "the" to specify that it's a particular, shared issue, not just any generic problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as a noun phrase, but due to the incorrect use of the article "a" instead of "the", its grammatical function is compromised. Ludwig AI flags this as an incorrect expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a same problem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "the same problem". As Ludwig AI points out, using the indefinite article "a" is a common mistake. While examples can be found across various sources like science and news media, this does not legitimize the error. Therefore, it's crucial to use "the same problem" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. Alternatives include phrases like "the same issue" or "a similar problem" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the same issue

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue', maintaining the concept of a shared difficulty, and corrects the grammatical error.

a similar problem

Uses 'similar' instead of 'same', indicating a problem that is alike but not necessarily identical.

the identical problem

Emphasizes that the problem is exactly the same, using 'identical' for greater precision, and corrects the grammatical error.

the same difficulty

Substitutes 'problem' with 'difficulty', providing a synonym while retaining the original meaning, and corrects the grammatical error.

a common problem

Indicates that the problem is experienced by many, highlighting its widespread nature.

a shared problem

Highlights the aspect of the problem being experienced by multiple parties.

the aforementioned problem

Refers back to a previously mentioned problem, creating a link to prior context, and corrects the grammatical error.

the problem in question

Singles out a specific problem that is being discussed or considered, and corrects the grammatical error.

a parallel problem

Suggests a problem that is analogous or comparable to another.

a corresponding problem

Implies a problem that arises in connection with something else, showing a direct relationship.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a same problem"?

The correct way to phrase this is "the same problem". The use of the definite article "the" is necessary to specify that it's a particular, shared issue. Using "a" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a similar problem" and "the same problem"?

"A similar problem" indicates that the issues are alike but not necessarily identical. "The same problem", on the other hand, means the issues are exactly identical and shared. You can explore alternatives such as "identical problem" or "parallel problem".

How can I use "the same problem" in a sentence?

You can use "the same problem" to express that two or more entities are experiencing an identical issue. For example, "Both departments are facing the same problem: a lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "the same problem"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the same issue", "a shared difficulty", or "a common problem".