an essential problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an essential problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a fundamental issue or challenge that is crucial to a particular context or situation. Example: "The team identified an essential problem that needed to be addressed before moving forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

But he runs against an essential problem.

The New York Times

The depot's parking garage and expansive drop-off lanes hinted at an essential problem: Cars were increasingly popular.

The New York Times

The structural stability is an essential problem for engineering application of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs).

Journal of Alloys and Compounds

This (often only the largest piece part) is called the Pigeonhole Principle and it's an essential problem solving tool.

The New York Times

As is well known, the stability properties of some fundamental periodic solutions of these systems is often an essential problem.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

More attentions have been paid to the security in smart cities. Source Location Privacy (SLP) protection is an essential problem in security.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

MRI is an essential problem-solving tool to determine the site of origin of a pelvic mass, to characterize an adnexal mass, and to detect local invasion.

Insights into Imaging

Remembering proverbs based on the surface is like a vacuum innovator focusing on solving the 'bag problem' rather than finding a more essential problem to solve.

Harvard Business Review

By maintaining the fundamental architecture of the news feed, however, Facebook is either missing or ignoring the opportunity to address a more essential problem: Facebook fatigue.

The New Yorker

Recent headlines on HuffPo's entertainment page: "Watch Naked Heidi Klum in Seal's New Video" and "Bridget Moynahan Dating McG?" There's an even more essential problem.

Forbes

As we indicated in Section  4, we are of the opinion that the requirements on Factor A cause no essential problem for our empirical analysis.

European Journal of Population

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an essential problem" to introduce a core challenge or issue that needs immediate attention or resolution in your writing. For greater clarity, follow up with specific details outlining the nature and impact of the problem.

Common error

Avoid using "an essential problem" as a generic filler. Ensure the problem you're describing genuinely holds significant importance within the given context, instead of being a minor inconvenience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an essential problem" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It identifies a significant issue needing attention, as seen in examples from academic, news, and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an essential problem" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a fundamental issue or challenge. As Ludwig AI has shown, it appears across various domains, including science, news, and formal business settings, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to provide context when using this phrase to ensure clarity and avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "a key issue" or "a fundamental challenge" for variety. By understanding its usage and context, you can effectively incorporate "an essential problem" into your writing to highlight critical issues that need attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental challenge

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", emphasizing the difficulty and effort required to overcome it.

a key issue

Substitutes "essential problem" with "key issue", highlighting the importance and relevance of the matter.

a critical concern

Replaces "problem" with "concern", conveying a sense of worry or urgency.

a central difficulty

Emphasizes the core nature of the problem, positioning it as a primary obstacle.

a primary obstacle

Highlights the hindering nature of the problem, focusing on its role as an impediment.

a significant hurdle

Replaces "problem" with "hurdle", suggesting a barrier that needs to be overcome.

a major impediment

Emphasizes the obstructive nature of the problem, portraying it as a significant barrier to progress.

a crucial question

Shifts the focus to the interrogative aspect, framing the problem as a question that needs answering.

a core predicament

Replaces "problem" with "predicament", conveying a sense of a difficult or unpleasant situation.

a basic dilemma

Substitutes "problem" with "dilemma", highlighting the conflicting or contradictory nature of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "an essential problem" in a sentence?

You can use "an essential problem" to highlight a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed. For example, "The lack of funding is "an essential problem" for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "an essential problem"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a key issue", "a fundamental challenge", or "a critical concern".

Is "an essential problem" formal or informal?

"An essential problem" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific audience and adjust the surrounding language accordingly. In a highly formal setting, you might opt for alternatives like "a critical issue".

What makes a problem "essential"?

A problem is considered "essential" when it significantly impacts the core functionality, success, or well-being of something. Addressing "an essential problem" is crucial for achieving desired outcomes.