a widespread problem in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread problem in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an issue that is prevalent or common within a specific context or area. Example: "Pollution is a widespread problem in urban areas, affecting the health of residents and the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bribery is a widespread problem in the developing world.

The New York Times

The Timberwolves' secretive tactics reflect a widespread problem in the league, N.B.A. officials said.

The New York Times - Sports

In general, tax evasion has been considered a widespread problem in Slovenia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, despite all our progress since then, homelessness is still a widespread problem in the UK.

Independent

The zero-tolerance campaign here is an especially aggressive response to a widespread problem in Central America.

The New York Times

The landlord group, the Rent Stabilization Association, disputed any claims that tenant harassment was a widespread problem in the city.

The New York Times

The killing of women by relatives who feel their family has been dishonoured is a widespread problem in the country.

The Guardian

He added: "We have no reason to think this is a widespread problem in the REIT area".

The New York Times

This is a widespread problem in psychology, said Jelte M. Wicherts, a psychologist at the University of Amsterdam.

The New York Times - Health

There is no evidence to suggest that corruption by the press is a widespread problem in relation to the police, he says.

The Guardian

The process seems so routine that newspapers and others are raising questions about whether there is a widespread problem in the Brooklyn courts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a widespread problem in", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope and area where the problem is prevalent. For example, specify the industry, region, or demographic affected.

Common error

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

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread problem in" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies and characterizes a specific issue that is prevalent within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread problem in" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote an issue that is prevalent across a significant scope. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and its application spans diverse fields like science, news, and formal business settings. While it's crucial to provide context and avoid overgeneralization, this phrase serves as an effective way to highlight and emphasize the significance of a problem. Alternatives such as "a common issue in" or "a prevalent challenge in" offer nuanced variations for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread issue in

Substitutes "problem" with "issue", a slightly less negative term.

a common problem in

Replaces "widespread" with "common", indicating frequency but perhaps less severity.

a prevalent problem in

Uses "prevalent" instead of "widespread", emphasizing the extensiveness of the problem.

a rampant problem in

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and rapid spread of the problem using "rampant".

a pervasive problem in

Highlights how the problem is deeply ingrained and affects many aspects using "pervasive".

a widespread concern in

Shifts the focus from a problem to a "concern", suggesting a matter of importance and worry.

a significant challenge in

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", framing it as something to be overcome.

a major difficulty in

Emphasizes the severity of the problem by calling it a "major difficulty".

a large-scale problem in

Focuses on the magnitude and scope of the problem.

an extensive problem in

Highlights the broad reach and coverage of the problem.

FAQs

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

Use "a widespread problem in" to introduce an issue that affects many people or areas. Follow it with specific details or examples to support your claim. For instance, "Corruption is "a widespread problem in" developing nations, hindering economic growth and social progress".

What are some alternatives to "a widespread problem in"?

You can use alternatives such as "a common issue in", "a prevalent challenge in", or "a significant concern in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "a widespread problem in" and "a common problem in"?

While both phrases indicate that something occurs frequently, ""a widespread problem in"" suggests that the issue affects a large geographical area or a significant portion of a population, whereas "a common problem in" simply means that it happens often.

Can I use "a widespread problem in" to describe a positive trend?

No, "a widespread problem in" is generally used to describe negative or undesirable situations. For positive trends, consider using phrases like "a growing trend in" or "an increasing interest in".