a significant problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to an important issue or difficulty that needs to be addressed. For example, "Access to clean drinking water in some parts of the world is a significant problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Violence remains a significant problem.

The New York Times

Finance remains a significant problem.

The Guardian - Money

But there's a significant problem.

The New York Times - Books

That is a significant problem.

Yale University

But a significant problem remains.

MIT Technology Review

There's a significant problem, however.

MIT Technology Review

It really is not a significant problem.

The Guardian

And yet a significant problem remains.

MIT Technology Review

But he inherits a significant problem.

The Guardian - Sport

"We don't think it's a significant problem".

The New York Times

She wonders if closed data is still a significant problem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a significant problem", ensure that the context clearly defines what makes the problem significant. Provide specific details or examples to illustrate the extent and impact of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant problem" without providing adequate justification. Overusing this phrase for minor issues can dilute its impact and credibility. Always back up your claim with supporting information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant problem" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is commonly used to identify issues of considerable importance across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant problem" is a commonly used phrase to denote an important issue that needs addressing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and applicable in various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide sufficient context and evidence to support the claim of significance. While alternatives like ""a major issue"" or ""a serious concern"" exist, "a significant problem" remains a direct and widely understood way to convey the gravity of a situation. Ensure that when you are using the phrase, you aren't overstating something as a significant problem if it is more of a minor inconvenience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major issue

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue' and 'significant' with 'major', maintaining the emphasis on importance.

a serious concern

Substitutes 'problem' with 'concern' and 'significant' with 'serious', highlighting the worrying aspect of the situation.

a critical challenge

Replaces 'problem' with 'challenge' and 'significant' with 'critical', emphasizing the difficulty and importance of overcoming it.

a substantial difficulty

Changes 'problem' to 'difficulty' and 'significant' to 'substantial', keeping a formal tone.

a notable obstacle

Replaces 'problem' with 'obstacle' and 'significant' with 'notable', focusing on something that hinders progress.

a pressing matter

Substitutes 'significant problem' with 'pressing matter', indicating urgency.

a grave situation

Changes 'significant problem' to 'grave situation', emphasizing the seriousness and potential danger.

a weighty concern

Replaces 'significant' with 'weighty', indicating the importance and burden of the concern.

a considerable setback

Substitutes 'problem' with 'setback', emphasizing the negative impact on progress.

a tough predicament

Replaces 'significant problem' with 'tough predicament', highlighting the challenging and difficult nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant problem" in a sentence?

You can use "a significant problem" to describe an issue that has a notable impact or requires serious attention. For example, "Climate change is "a significant problem" facing the world today".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a significant problem"?

Alternatives include "a major issue", "a serious concern", or "a critical challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a significant problem" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant problem" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that your writing clearly justifies why the problem is considered significant.

What's the difference between "a significant problem" and "a minor issue"?

"A significant problem" implies that the issue has a substantial impact or consequence, whereas "a minor issue" suggests that the problem is relatively small and easily resolved.