a typical problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a typical problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or usual issue that people encounter in a specific context. Example: "In software development, a typical problem is dealing with bugs that arise during testing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a typical problem of the number of SNPs is typically thousands of times larger than the number of objects.

BMC Genomics

Here's a typical problem: Hamas fires rockets from apartment buildings.

The New York Times

A typical problem with divorce is that divorced men seriously reduce their investment in their children.

The New York Times - Science

"This is a typical problem when there are Olympic Games," he adds.

The Guardian

An examination of a typical problem posed when parties contract by correspondence suggests the latter explanation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Your front page story "Asthma drug 'gamechanger' could revolutionise treatment" (6 August) suffers from a typical problem in the reporting of innovation in drug discovery and development.

The Guardian

A typical problem for people as they get older is that when they consider their lives, they start to see more past tense than future.

The New York Times

Chance fluctuations are a typical problem in tracking trends, as the federal government itself recognizes in gathering other kinds of statistics.

The New York Times

That is a typical problem: most post-communist reformers have gained office thanks to an electoral quirk, or because of a strong vote against the outgoing government.

The Economist

A typical problem starts with a lattice of points in the plane with integer coordinates, some of which are marked with black dots ("oil").

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a typical problem in the area of financial investment.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a typical problem", ensure the context is clear to the reader. Provide specific details or examples to illustrate the problem and its impact.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "a typical problem" without providing sufficient evidence or context. This can lead to misinterpretations and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a typical problem" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and categorizes a commonly encountered issue. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a typical problem" is a widely used and grammatically correct way to introduce a common issue or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across diverse fields. It serves primarily to identify and categorize recurring difficulties, often paving the way for further analysis or solutions. While it can be considered neutral, its usage tends to lean towards more formal and scientific registers. Alternatives such as "a common issue" or "a frequent challenge" can be used to vary your writing style, as appropriate. When using the phrase, it's important to provide sufficient context and avoid overgeneralization for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common issue

Replaces "typical" with "common", emphasizing prevalence.

a frequent challenge

Substitutes "problem" with "challenge", presenting a more proactive framing.

a standard difficulty

Uses "standard" instead of "typical", highlighting the expected nature of the problem.

a recurring obstacle

Replaces "typical problem" with a phrase suggesting that something happens over and over.

a prevalent concern

Shifts from "problem" to "concern", indicating a worrying aspect.

a familiar predicament

Replaces "problem" with "predicament", giving a sense of difficult situation.

a widespread issue

Substitutes "typical" with "widespread", indicating large scale occurence.

an ordinary setback

Changes "problem" to "setback", which has a connotation of a temporary delay.

a routine complication

Replaces "problem" with "complication", referring to something that introduces difficulties.

a conventional snag

Switches "problem" to "snag", connoting a small, unexpected difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a typical problem" to introduce a common issue or challenge. For example, "A typical problem in software development is managing project timelines".

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

You can use alternatives like "a common issue", "a frequent challenge", or "a standard difficulty". Depending on the context, other options might include "a recurring obstacle" or "a prevalent concern".

Is it better to say "a common problem" or "a typical problem"?

Both "a common problem" and "a typical problem" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. "A common problem" emphasizes the widespread nature of the issue, while "a typical problem" emphasizes its representative nature.

What makes a problem "typical"?

A problem is considered "typical" when it is representative of a larger category or class of problems, occurring regularly and in similar contexts. It's an issue that is frequently encountered and expected within a given situation.