central problem is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "central problem is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when identifying or discussing the main issue or challenge in a particular context or situation. Example: "The central problem is the lack of communication between team members, which leads to misunderstandings and delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The central problem is never mentioned.

The Guardian - Film

The central problem is reprogramming I.R.S. computers.

The New York Times

Rather, the central problem is our bad schools.

The New York Times

The central problem is the question: what is prison for?

The Guardian - Opinion

The central problem is a lack of money.

The New York Times

A central problem is the effective water removal.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

The central problem is what the negotiators call investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).

The Guardian - Opinion

But, on the evidence of the opening night, the central problem is, in two ways, exclusivity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Yet the central problem is found in the petroleum ministry, which wields vast unaccountable power.

The Economist

One central problem is that bank watchdogs need to measure credit risk to set capital requirements.

The New York Times

In this framework, the central problem is to compute the transitive closure of a transducer.

The Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "central problem is" when you want to emphasize the most important issue among several related problems. It clearly signals the focal point of your analysis or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "central problem is" when a simpler phrase like "the problem is" suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central problem is" serves as a declarative statement identifying the most significant issue within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase directs the reader's attention to the core challenge, setting the stage for further analysis or resolution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central problem is" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to pinpoint the most critical issue in various contexts. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its frequent use in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. When writing, remember to use "central problem is" when you need to underscore the primary challenge. While acceptable in formal and neutral settings, avoid overuse in simple contexts where more concise phrasing would suffice. Alternatives like "main issue is", "key problem is", and "primary issue is" can provide variety and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main issue is

Replaces "central problem" with a more general term, "main issue".

key problem is

Substitutes "central" with "key", emphasizing importance.

primary issue is

Replaces "central" with "primary", indicating the most important problem.

fundamental issue is

Uses "fundamental" instead of "central" to highlight a basic, underlying problem.

core issue is

Employs "core" to indicate the most essential aspect of the problem.

main concern is

Shifts the focus to a "concern" which is the principal worry.

major challenge is

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", framing it as an obstacle to overcome.

the crux of the matter is

This alternative uses a more idiomatic expression, focusing on the decisive point.

the heart of the problem is

Uses a metaphor to describe the most vital part of the problem.

the underlying problem is

Focuses on the problem that may not be immediately obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "central problem is" in a sentence?

The phrase "central problem is" is used to identify the main issue or challenge. For example, "The "central problem is" the lack of funding for the project".

What are some alternatives to "central problem is"?

You can use alternatives such as "main issue is", "key problem is", or "primary issue is" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "central problem is"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

What is the difference between "central problem is" and "a problem is"?

"Central problem is" identifies the most important issue, whereas "a problem is" simply acknowledges that an issue exists without specifying its relative importance.