a tragic problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tragic problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an issue that has serious or unfortunate consequences, often evoking a sense of sorrow or distress. Example: "The community faces a tragic problem with homelessness that requires immediate attention and action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Only the angriest and most hateful, the folks that have since become known as the "alt right," chose to bash or nitpick the general message of working to end violence and fixing a tragic problem in American society.

The Guardian - Sport

"If in the coming months Iraq looks relatively stable and on some path to democracy, this whole issue of abuse will be a tragic problem that was addressed and solved," he said.

The New York Times

To some, his plight represents a tragic problem facing the music business: Lifelong musicians struggling to pay the bills as they age.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A particularly tragic problem are the children.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is a serious and tragic problem which the family has had to face.

The Guardian

(Leslie Gelb, the former Times columnist and president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, once told me, "American foreign-policy experts don't know anything about countries. That is a fundamental and tragic problem in our policymaking process").

The New Yorker

Malaria is an enormous and tragic problem -- that can be beat.

Huffington Post

Well that's of course a very difficult and tragic problem.

University of California, Berkeley

The answer is no; it has long been a serious and often tragic problem, with little law-enforcement attention given to stopping the inflow at our borders.

The New York Times

FAS is a statistically minute but tragic problem that tends to affect poor women and, in particular, certain Native American tribes.

Forbes

It may be that the most dramatic examples offered by the advocates — mothers huddled with small children on street corners in the cold — are just the tiniest aspect of a much larger, much more tragic problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tragic problem" to describe situations with significant negative consequences and emotional impact. Ensure the context supports the weight of the adjective "tragic".

Common error

Avoid using "a tragic problem" to describe minor inconveniences or challenges. Reserve it for situations involving significant loss, suffering, or irreversible damage to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tragic problem" functions as a noun phrase, where 'tragic' is an adjective modifying the noun 'problem'. It typically serves to identify and characterize a specific issue as deeply unfortunate and sorrowful. Ludwig AI confirms its validity based on example sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tragic problem" is a noun phrase employed to describe profoundly unfortunate and sorrowful issues. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical status, and its usage is most common in News & Media, Academia and Scientific contexts. When writing, reserve "a tragic problem" for situations involving significant loss or suffering to maintain its intended impact. Related phrases include "a devastating issue" and "a calamitous situation", offering alternative ways to convey similar sentiments. Always remember to use it in context and avoid overusing it for less serious things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating issue

Emphasizes the destructive impact of the problem.

a calamitous situation

Highlights the disastrous nature of the circumstances.

a regrettable predicament

Focuses on the unfortunate and undesirable aspects.

a sorrowful state

Emphasizes the sadness and grief associated with it.

an appalling crisis

Stresses the shocking and terrible nature.

a distressing matter

Highlights the troubling and worrying elements.

a lamentable affair

Focuses on the regrettable and unfortunate character.

a grievous concern

Emphasizes the seriousness and worry it causes.

a heartbreaking ordeal

Highlights the emotional pain and suffering.

a woeful plight

Emphasizes the misery and suffering involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tragic problem" to describe a situation that causes significant suffering or loss. For example, "The opioid crisis is "a tragic problem" affecting communities nationwide".

What phrases are similar to "a tragic problem"?

Similar phrases include "a devastating issue", "a calamitous situation", or "a regrettable predicament".

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

Yes, "a tragic problem" is appropriate for formal writing when discussing serious and unfortunate situations. However, ensure the tone and context align with the gravity of the issue.

What's the difference between "a tragic problem" and "a serious problem"?

"A tragic problem" implies significant loss, suffering, or irreversible damage, whereas "a serious problem" simply indicates a significant issue that requires attention. The former carries a stronger emotional weight.