a technical problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a technical problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an issue or difficulty that is related to technology or technical systems. Example: "The project was delayed due to a technical problem that needed immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

… it is a technical problem.

The Economist

They have a technical problem.

The New Yorker

There's a technical problem.

The Guardian

It was not a technical problem.

The New York Times - Sports

It's more than a technical problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

And there is a technical problem too.

The Economist

Was that a technical problem?

The Guardian - Books

"Email is not a technical problem.

The Guardian - Tech

This is not a technical problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is not a technical problem," Mr. Bernanke said.

The New York Times

It became just a technical problem for me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "a technical problem", be specific about the system or technology affected to provide clarity. For example, instead of just saying "a technical problem", you might specify "a network connectivity problem".

Common error

Avoid simply stating there is "a technical problem" without providing any context or details. This can lead to confusion and hinder effective troubleshooting. Always aim to give specific information about the nature and scope of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a technical problem" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies an issue or difficulty that is related to technology or a technical system. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a technical problem" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an issue related to technology or technical skills. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to be specific about the nature of the problem to facilitate understanding and resolution. Common errors include using vague language and failing to provide sufficient context. As Ludwig AI validates, "a technical problem" is used to report malfunctions across a variety of fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a technological issue

Replaces "technical" with "technological", focusing on problems related to technology.

a system malfunction

Refers to a failure in a system's operation.

a mechanical fault

Substitutes "technical" with "mechanical" implying an issue with machinery.

an equipment failure

Points to a failure of specific equipment.

an engineering challenge

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", framing the issue as something to overcome in engineering.

a hardware defect

Narrowly defines the problem as a defect in hardware.

a design flaw

Highlights that the issue comes from a "design flaw".

a software glitch

Specifies the problem as a "glitch" and limits its domain to software.

a programming error

Identifies the issue as an error in programming.

a logistical hurdle

Framing "problem" as a hurdle, changes the focus to logistics.

FAQs

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

You can use "a technical problem" to describe an issue related to technology or a specific skill. For example, "The website is down due to a technical problem" or "The engineer identified a technical problem with the engine."

What are some alternatives to saying "a technical problem"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a technological issue", "a mechanical fault", or "a system malfunction".

Is it better to say "technical problem" or "technological problem"?

Both "technical problem" and "technological problem" are correct. "Technical problem" is more general and can refer to any issue related to skills or technology. "Technological problem" specifically refers to issues related to technology.

What's the difference between "a technical problem" and "a user error"?

"A technical problem" refers to a fault within a system or device. "A user error", on the other hand, refers to a mistake made by the person operating the system. For example, if a computer crashes due to a software bug, it's "a technical problem". If a user accidentally deletes a file, it's "a user error".