a widespread problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an issue that affects a large number of people or areas. Example: "Pollution has become a widespread problem that impacts both urban and rural communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There is a widespread problem here that needs addressing.

The Guardian - Money

"It was a widespread problem," he said in a deposition.

The New York Times

I am confident that this is not a widespread problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Overfishing is also, of course, a widespread problem.

The New York Times

Bribery is a widespread problem in the developing world.

The New York Times

Low enrollment in physics is a widespread problem.

The New York Times

"They have no viability," he said, citing inexperience as a widespread problem.

The New York Times

Lord Justice Leveson found that there was no evidence that police corruption is a widespread problem.

The Guardian

But Section 8 discrimination remains a widespread problem, housing advocates, tenant lawyers and voucher holders say.

The New York Times

"It's not a widespread problem, it's not a common occurrence, but it should never happen".

The Guardian

A spokesman for Victoria police denied that racism was a widespread problem within the force.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a widespread problem", be specific about the problem you are referring to. Provide context and examples to illustrate the scope and impact of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread problem" without providing specific details or evidence. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and make it less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread problem" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a particular issue as prevalent, aligning with Ludwig's observation of its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread problem" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an issue affecting a large number of people or areas. As Ludwig confirms, it appears across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to provide specific details and context to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a prevalent issue" or "a common concern" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevalent issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and "widespread" with "prevalent", emphasizing the common occurrence.

a common concern

Substitutes "problem" with "concern", highlighting the worry or anxiety associated with the widespread issue.

a pervasive challenge

Replaces "widespread" with "pervasive" and "problem" with "challenge", suggesting a deeply rooted and all-encompassing difficulty.

a broad issue

Uses "broad" instead of "widespread" to emphasize the extent of the issue.

a general difficulty

Employs "general" and "difficulty" to indicate a widespread problem affecting many people.

a rampant phenomenon

Uses "rampant" and "phenomenon" to emphasize the uncontrolled spread of the problem.

a sweeping concern

Replaces "widespread" with "sweeping" to convey the extensive impact of the concern.

an extensive issue

Utilizes "extensive" to emphasize the large scale of the issue.

a global crisis

Replaces "widespread problem" with "global crisis" to indicate the problem affects the whole world.

a universal challenge

Employs "universal" to indicate a problem that is faced by everyone.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread problem" to introduce an issue affecting many people or areas. For example, "Pollution is "a widespread problem" in urban areas".

What are some alternatives to "a widespread problem"?

Alternatives include "a prevalent issue", "a common concern", or "a pervasive challenge", depending on the context.

Is it more effective to say "common problem" or "widespread problem"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a widespread problem" emphasizes the extensive reach and impact of the issue, while "a common problem" simply denotes that it occurs frequently. Consider your audience when selecting the right alternative.

What makes an issue qualify as "a widespread problem"?

An issue qualifies as "a widespread problem" when it affects a significant portion of a population, region, or industry, and its effects are felt broadly. The scale and impact determine its classification as widespread.