a sudden problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sudden problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a problem that occurred unexpectedly or with little warning. For example, "The computer stopped working due to a sudden problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"This isn't a sudden sickness, and that 7-1 semifinal wasn't just a sudden problem," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Speech analytics engines can also be used to search consumer calls for unexpected events or trends, like a sudden problem with product delivery or using gift cards.

The New York Times

"People are going to wake up and think it's a sudden problem," said Gregory Faulkner, chairman of Community Board 7, "and not realize that it's something that's been working itself into this situation for a number of years".

The New York Times

Another call center analytics company, called CallMiner, classifies consumers' spoken words into categories like "dissatisfaction" or "escalation". Speech analytics engines can also be used to search consumer calls for unexpected events or trends, like a sudden problem with product delivery or using gift cards.

The New York Times

Then, they encounter a sudden problem with the chosen location when Mrs. Mallard is nearly run over by a bicyclist on page thirteen.

Wikipedia

Add of a sudden problem, like, 'suddenly, Sally remembered she left her little brother at home'.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In diplomatic language, sacking a minister while he is on a foreign mission shows a serious and sudden problem in the foreign policy of the country, as well as being a clear insult to dismissed minister.

BBC

The orchestra had worked out a plan to cover for him should he suffer any sudden problems onstage.

The New Yorker

The audience and my colleagues were devastated, for Mr. Pavarotti was obviously having a sudden vocal problem and suffering greatly.

The New York Times

Drs. Bartlett and DeSteno induced gratitude in some of their study participants by having someone help them with a sudden computer problem (which the researchers actually caused).

University of California, Berkeley

But lately, with rollover fatalities repeatedly being linked to the Ford Explorer and its recalled Firestone tires, Turner has been rocketing around the nation faster than a car with a sudden acceleration problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a sudden problem", ensure that the context clearly indicates the unexpected nature of the issue. This helps to emphasize the element of surprise or urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "a sudden problem" to describe situations that are known to frequently cause issues. Reserve the phrase for truly unexpected occurrences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sudden problem" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence to identify an unexpected issue. Ludwig examples show its usage in various contexts, emphasizing its role in describing unforeseen difficulties or challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sudden problem" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, typically functioning as a noun phrase to describe an unexpected issue. While not exceedingly frequent, it's commonly found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI indicated, this phrase is effective in conveying a sense of surprise and urgency. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context highlights the unforeseen nature of the difficulty and avoid using it for predictable or recurring issues. Alternatives such as "an unexpected issue" or "an unforeseen complication" can provide subtle variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unexpected issue

Replaces "problem" with a more neutral term, "issue", and "sudden" with "unexpected", emphasizing the surprise element.

an abrupt difficulty

Substitutes "sudden" with "abrupt" to highlight the quick and unexpected nature of the problem, and "problem" with "difficulty".

an unforeseen complication

Replaces "problem" with "complication", suggesting a more intricate and complex issue arising unexpectedly.

a surprise setback

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the problem, portraying it as a "setback" that occurs unexpectedly.

an immediate snag

Suggests a minor but immediate impediment, replacing "problem" with "snag".

an unpredicted hitch

Similar to "snag", this highlights an unexpected and minor obstacle.

an emergent crisis

Implies a more urgent and critical problem that has suddenly arisen.

an acute predicament

Conveys a sense of urgency and difficulty, similar to a crisis, but with a focus on the challenging situation.

a precipitous challenge

Focuses on the demanding nature of the situation, indicating it arose rapidly and unexpectedly.

an unforeseen glitch

Indicates a minor and unexpected malfunction or error.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sudden problem" to describe an unexpected difficulty. For example, "The project faced "a sudden problem" when the key developer left the company unexpectedly."

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

A more formal alternative to "a sudden problem" could be "an unforeseen complication" or "an unexpected issue", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a sudden problem"?

Use "a sudden problem" when you want to emphasize that a difficulty arose unexpectedly and requires immediate attention. It's suitable for describing events that were not anticipated.

Is there a difference between "a sudden problem" and "a gradual problem"?

Yes, "a sudden problem" implies that the issue appeared quickly without warning, while "a gradual problem" suggests that the issue developed slowly over time. The choice depends on how the problem manifested.