attend to the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attend to the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of addressing or dealing with an issue or concern. Example: "We need to attend to the problem before it escalates any further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To keep the school from sending him to the emergency room, Ms. Cancino would leave work to pick him up and attend to the problem; it usually involved adjusting his insulin dosage.

The New York Times

Suddenly you receive an email - apparently from that very site - saying that there is a problem with your last order and can you please "click here" to attend to the problem.

BBC

We attend to the problem of missing data by using multiple imputation with SAS 9.2 PROC MI and MIANALYZE [ 33]; see also recommendations by Mayer et al. [ 34].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

She said it was unconstitutional and that he should cut short his European trip, which she claimed the country could not afford, and return home to attend to the problems of the budget and the economy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In making this argument, this essay aims to respect Stegner's intentions, attend to the problems with conflating author and narrator, and develop an analysis that is nuanced and sensitive, rather than inflammatory or accusatory.

Johns Hopkins University

A lone toll taker attended to the problem, accepting cash from one of the lead cars, and afterward the line began to move more steadily, which caused Taleb to reconsider his initial diagnosis of the problem.

The New Yorker

At differing speeds and with differing audiences in mind, they are attending to the problem.So far, the nearest thing to a practical step was last November's agreement by the Organisation of American States to co-operate in clamping down on the export of illegal weapons.

The Economist

From the left comes the proposition that given the slow economy, we should defer attending to the problem of mounting obligations — and the truly delusional idea that growing federal debt doesn't matter because we owe most of it to ourselves.

The New York Times

It has been many years since researchers have attended to the problem ofinterpolation of fuzzy data.

Mathematical Sciences

In general, the philosophy of art correctly attends to the problem of essences, but remains hampered by its lack of any adequate historical consideration.

SEP

He knew he would be risking his reputation with the pardon, but attending to the problems of the country came first.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "attend to the problem", ensure it reflects the need for careful and dedicated action, not just a quick fix. It's often suitable when the problem requires thoughtful consideration and ongoing effort.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "attend to the problem" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "deal with it" or "take care of it" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attend to the problem" functions as a verb phrase, typically serving as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates an action aimed at addressing a specific issue. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attend to the problem" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of addressing and dealing with a specific issue. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it tends to appear more frequently in neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles, scientific publications, and academic papers. Alternatives like "address the issue" or "deal with the matter" offer similar meanings, but "attend to the problem" suggests a more careful and dedicated approach to problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address the issue

More direct and commonly used; omits the nuance of careful consideration implied by "attend".

deal with the matter

Similar in meaning, but focuses on handling a specific affair or situation.

take care of the problem

Suggests resolving the issue efficiently, with less emphasis on careful attention.

see to the issue

Implies ensuring the problem is resolved, often by delegating or overseeing its resolution.

resolve the difficulty

Focuses on overcoming an obstacle or complication.

tackle the challenge

Emphasizes confronting and overcoming a demanding task.

manage the situation

Suggests controlling and directing a set of circumstances, not necessarily solving a single problem.

handle the crisis

Specifically refers to managing an urgent or critical situation.

sort out the difficulty

Suggests resolving a confusing or complicated problem.

remedy the situation

Emphasizes correcting or improving an undesirable condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "attend to the problem" to indicate that someone is addressing or dealing with a specific issue. For example: "The manager needs to "address the issue" immediately".

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

Alternatives include "deal with the matter", "take care of the problem", or "resolve the difficulty". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "attend to the problem" formal or informal?

"Attend to the problem" is generally considered neutral to formal. In very informal situations, simpler phrases may be more appropriate.

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

"Attend to the problem" implies giving attention and effort to manage the situation, whereas "solve the problem" suggests finding a complete resolution. Attending can be a step toward solving, but it's not always synonymous.