a slight problem.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight problem." is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a minor issue or difficulty in a situation. Example: "We encountered a slight problem with the delivery schedule, but we are working to resolve it quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there was a slight problem.

The New York Times

There's a slight problem here.

The Washington Post

This creates a slight problem.

The Guardian

Which presents a slight problem.

The Guardian

Now there's a slight problem here.

Yale University

But there is a slight problem.

University of California, Berkeley

There was a slight problem, however.

The Guardian

Has been scavenging lately, a slight problem.

The New York Times

"The neck is still a slight problem," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's this which becomes a slight problem.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There is, however, a slight problem with the title characters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, follow "a slight problem" with a brief explanation to provide context. E.g., "There's a slight problem with the server, causing intermittent disconnections."

Common error

Avoid using "a slight problem" when the situation is genuinely serious or complex. Overstating the issue may undermine the credibility of the message. Choose words like "challenge" or "difficulty" in the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight problem." functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a minor issue or challenge. As Ludwig AI describes, it's a phrase deemed correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight problem." is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a minor issue or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and professional communication. While versatile, it's essential to avoid using it when describing serious or complex situations, as it may downplay the severity of the issue. Alternatives like "a minor issue" or "a small difficulty" can be used in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor issue

Focuses on the issue being small or unimportant.

a small difficulty

Emphasizes the challenge aspect but on a small scale.

a minor setback

Highlights the hindering aspect, suggesting a temporary delay.

a trivial matter

Underlines the unimportance of the problem.

a small hiccup

Implies a brief and easily resolved disruption.

a glitch

Suggests a minor malfunction or error.

a minor inconvenience

Focuses on the disruptive aspect of the problem.

a trifling concern

Highlights the insignificance of the problem.

a negligible issue

Emphasizes the near absence of impact.

a spot of bother

Informal way to refer to a slight problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slight problem" to introduce a minor issue or difficulty. For example, "We've encountered "a slight problem" with the new software, but we're working on a fix".

What's a more formal way to say "a slight problem"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "a minor issue" or "a small difficulty" instead of "a slight problem".

What can I say instead of "a slight problem" to downplay an issue?

To downplay an issue, consider using phrases like "a trivial matter" or "a small hiccup". However, be cautious not to trivialize genuine concerns.

When is it inappropriate to use "a slight problem"?

It's inappropriate to use "a slight problem" when describing serious or critical situations. In such cases, more serious language is necessary to accurately convey the gravity of the situation. For example, it's more appropriate to say "We have a significant issue".