a slew of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slew of problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of issues or difficulties that someone is facing. Example: "After the project launch, the team encountered a slew of problems that needed immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

And diseased, insect-infested wood can cause a slew of problems.

The New York Times

They soon faced a slew of problems that smaller sites had been unable to resolve in the early years.

The New York Times

The movie does improve significantly after those credits roll by, but a slew of problems prevent it from being a great movie.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He remained on the board as the company, a Silicon Valley darling, fell from grace after regulators uncovered a slew of problems.

The Washington Post

The other Mexican wave Ignorance is not bliss Maine's mania Mitt Romney's problem ReprintsAs production began rising, local users began confronting police, teachers and neighbours with a slew of problems, including a predictable rise in violent-crime rates.

The Economist

Mr. Stringer's analysis comes at a critical time for the troubled subway system, as the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the subways, confronts a slew of problems from antiquated signals and fires to overcrowding.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They have to deal with a slew of other problems on top of the problems of working class white folks — that doesn't make them "not the working class".

Huffington Post

"The ocean faces lots of problems, from acidification, the ocean becoming more acidic, to the water temperature rising and a slew of other problems, but marine debris is something that we can do something about," said Nir Barnea, a manager in the marine debris program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal agency that distributed the stimulus money.

The New York Times

That brings into play a slew of political problems.

The Economist

The bank also continues to face a slew of legal problems.

The New York Times

In the background a slew of personal problems – divorce, alcohol, inappropriate behaviour and total lack of confidence – took their toll.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slew of problems" when you want to emphasize a large and potentially overwhelming number of issues. This phrase is particularly effective in drawing attention to significant challenges.

Common error

While "a slew of problems" is widely understood, its slightly informal tone may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "a multitude of issues" or "a range of challenges" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slew of problems" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing the challenges faced by entities like companies or individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slew of problems" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a large number of difficulties or issues. Ludwig AI confirms that it's acceptable in written English. While the expression is neutral, it's important to consider the context of your writing, as more formal settings may benefit from more neutral alternatives like "a multitude of issues" or "a range of challenges". Based on Ludwig, the expression is most frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A multitude of difficulties

Replaces "slew" with "multitude", emphasizing the great number of problems.

A host of issues

Uses "host" instead of "slew", which is a more formal and neutral term.

A range of challenges

Substitutes "problems" with "challenges", suggesting a more proactive and potentially surmountable situation.

A series of complications

Replaces "problems" with "complications", implying a more intricate and interconnected set of difficulties.

A cluster of difficulties

Uses "cluster" to convey the idea of problems grouped together.

An array of setbacks

Substitutes "problems" with "setbacks", emphasizing temporary hindrances.

Numerous obstacles

Uses "numerous obstacles" to indicate many challenges.

A cornucopia of troubles

Employs "cornucopia" for a more vivid and abundant image of problems.

A basketful of worries

Offers a less formal and more personal way to describe many problems.

Myriad adversities

Replaces "slew of problems" with more sophisticated vocabulary to refer to a large number of difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "a slew of problems" in a sentence?

You can use "a slew of problems" to describe numerous difficulties or challenges someone is facing. For example: "The project encountered "a slew of problems" during the implementation phase."

What are some alternatives to saying "a slew of problems"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a multitude of difficulties", "a host of issues", or "a range of challenges".

Is "a slew of problems" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a slew of problems" may be considered too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives such as "a multitude of issues" or "a number of concerns".

What is the difference between "a slew of problems" and "a series of problems"?

"A slew of problems" suggests a large quantity of issues, while "a series of problems" implies that the issues are sequential or interconnected.