attend to a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attend to a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of addressing, dealing with, or focusing on a specific issue or concern. Example: "The team needs to attend to a problem that has been affecting our productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With a lot of people paid to attend to a problem, there will be a lot of discussion and media interest in that problem.

BBC

"These findings raise questions about the wisdom of diverting law enforcement resources to attend to a problem that does not appear to exist," the researchers drily noted.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Through the study of key artists, movements, and works of art, we will attend to a set of central problems: the formation of collective identities in these new nations, the impact of revolution, dictatorship, and political violence on the development of art in the region, the incorporation of both foreign styles and indigenous traditions, and the shifting definitions of Latin American art.

University of Chicago

And we had the luxury of our own bike mechanic who fixed flats, trued wheels and attended to a variety of other technical problems.

The New York Times - Travel

Based on this idea, he created Fundación Azteca, a nonprofit organization that attends to a wide range of social problems.

Huffington Post

Furthermore, the pattern of performance for TE subjects suggested that they had solved the initial problem by attending to a combination of colour and functionality or functionality alone, while TI subjects had attended to colour alone.

Animal Behaviour

Cherishing clients is different than focusing on fixing a problem, creating a plan or attending to a task.

HuffPost

The decline in the number of practitioners who are involved in research and the weakness of basic sciences is not limited to Iran and is globally attended to as a problem [ 15].

BMC Medical Education

She has a demanding job to attend to; family problems to address.

The Guardian - Film

Fonteyn went off to attend to domestic problems.

The New Yorker

Medical schools and their leaders must attend to these problems.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attend to a problem", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is responsible for addressing the issue and what actions are being taken. For example, "The manager will attend to the problem with the malfunctioning equipment."

Common error

While "attend to a problem" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. More precise verbs like "address", "resolve", or "rectify" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attend to a problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "attend to" acts as a transitive phrasal verb requiring a direct object (the problem). This phrase indicates the act of giving attention and dealing with a specific issue. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attend to a problem" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the act of addressing or dealing with an issue. As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral tone makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. While generally appropriate, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "address" or "resolve" in highly formal or scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for attending to the problem and what actions are being taken.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address an issue

This alternative is a more general term for dealing with a problem, implying a direct approach.

deal with a problem

This alternative suggests handling or managing a problem, often in a practical way.

resolve an issue

This alternative focuses on finding a solution to the problem and bringing it to a conclusion.

take care of a problem

This alternative implies responsibility and action to fix the problem.

sort out a problem

This alternative suggests organizing and resolving a confused or complicated problem.

tackle a problem

This alternative implies a determined and energetic approach to solving the problem.

manage a problem

This alternative focuses on controlling and handling the problem, especially over time.

handle a problem

This alternative is a general term for dealing with a problem, often in a skillful way.

rectify a problem

This alternative suggests correcting or putting right a problem or error.

remedy a problem

This alternative focuses on providing a cure or solution to alleviate the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "attend to a problem" in a sentence?

You can use "attend to a problem" to describe the action of dealing with or addressing an issue. For example: "The engineer was called to attend to a problem with the machinery."

What are some alternatives to "attend to a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "address an issue", "deal with a problem", or "resolve an issue" depending on the context.

Is "attend to a problem" formal or informal?

"Attend to a problem" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "address" or "rectify".

What's the difference between "attend to a problem" and "solve a problem"?

"Attend to a problem" implies taking action to manage or deal with a problem, while "solve a problem" implies finding a solution that eliminates the problem entirely. You might attend to a problem temporarily before fully solving it.