are less of a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are less of a problem" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "In recent years, environmental issues are less of a problem than they used to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

High winds and rough seas are less of a problem.

The Economist

Yet some police commanders say corrupt officers are less of a problem than the lack of information about drug dealers.

The New York Times

Such contracts mean that weak spot prices are less of a problem for gas-producing countries than for oil states.

The Economist

The truth is that our weapons are less of a problem for the Obama Administration than finding a respectable way out of Afghanistan".

The New Yorker

Tree roots are less of a problem because you can cut the smaller ones and shift the hole slightly to avoid the larger ones.

The New York Times

So while some shady areas are less of a problem than they first appear and the shade of trees can be mitigated – what about drought?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

By any reasonable measure, illegal immigration is less of a problem now than it was a decade ago.

Huffington Post

Drawing audiences is less of a problem.

The New York Times

Sadly, providing tents is less of a problem in Bhachau.

The New York Times

"In eastern Europe, it is less of a problem".

The Guardian

Attending a final performance is less of a problem, if a bit perverse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are less of a problem" to express a relative improvement. This implies that something used to be more problematic but has improved or diminished in significance.

Common error

Avoid using "are less of a problem" without establishing a clear comparison. The statement is incomplete without indicating what it is less of a problem than, which may create ambiguity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are less of a problem" functions as a comparative assessment, indicating that certain issues or situations possess a reduced level of difficulty or concern when compared to others or a previous state. This is supported by Ludwig, which validates its usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are less of a problem" is a versatile expression used to indicate a reduction in the severity or significance of an issue. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase is best used when a clear comparison is established, showing what the subject is less problematic than. Common alternatives include "are not as problematic" and "pose fewer challenges". It's suitable for neutral contexts and effectively conveys a sense of improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not as problematic

Emphasizes the reduced level of being problematic.

are not as much of an issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" maintaining similar meaning.

pose fewer challenges

Shifts the focus to challenges instead of problems.

are not as concerning

Focuses on the level of concern associated with something.

are more manageable

Highlights the increased ease of handling something.

present reduced difficulties

Emphasizes the lessening of difficulties.

are easier to deal with

Focuses on the increased ease of handling something.

are of diminished significance

Highlights the reduced importance of something.

do not present as significant a hurdle

Replaces "problem" with "hurdle" while maintaining similar meaning.

are of lesser consequence

Emphasizes the reduced impact or effect.

FAQs

How can I use "are less of a problem" in a sentence?

Use "are less of a problem" to indicate that something is not as troublesome or difficult as something else or as it used to be. For example, "Technical issues "are less of a problem" now than they were a year ago."

What's a good alternative to "are less of a problem"?

Alternatives include "are not as problematic", "pose fewer challenges", or "are more manageable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is less of a problem" instead of "are less of a problem"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "is" for singular subjects (e.g., "The delay is less of a problem"), and "are" for plural subjects (e.g., "The delays "are less of a problem"").

What does it mean when something "is less of a problem"?

It means that the issue is not as significant, difficult, or troublesome as it once was or compared to something else. It suggests an improvement or a reduction in the negative impact.