circumvent the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"circumvent the problem" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to find a way to avoid or overcome a problem or obstacle. Here is an example: "I was able to circumvent the problem of limited storage space by using a cloud storage service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Various methods have been employed to circumvent the problem.

Journal of Computational Physics

Claudio Monteverdi, however, found a rather elegant way to circumvent the problem.

The Guardian - Music

Hinton et al.24 proposed a robust way to circumvent the problem.

Nature

In the meantime, Scotland's devolved government is trying to circumvent the problem.

The Economist

If the two conspired to set the fees in secret, they would circumvent the problem and both make more money.

The New York Times

To circumvent the problem, we propose and analyze a double sampling technique for flow measurement.

Computer Networks

To circumvent the problem of hysteresis a special design magnetron was developed.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Some companies are trying to circumvent the problem by appointing a leader who is already IT-literate.

The Economist

We investigated whether environmental support can be used to circumvent the problem state bottleneck in human multitasking.

Acta Psychologica

To circumvent the problem, I used a twist tie to harness the motion of the spindle and transfer it onto the pinwheel.

University of California, Berkeley

Current standard therapies for diseases of the posterior eye such as age related macular degeneration circumvent the problem by administering biologics via intravitreal injections.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "circumvent the problem" when you want to emphasize a strategic or clever way of avoiding a difficulty, rather than directly solving it.

Common error

Don't use "circumvent the problem" if your intention is to convey a direct solution. "Circumvent" implies avoidance or a workaround, not a resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circumvent the problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "circumvent" is the verb and "the problem" is the direct object. It indicates the action of finding a way to avoid or bypass a particular issue. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "circumvent the problem" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that means to find a way to avoid or overcome a problem. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academic writing. While it suggests a strategic approach to avoidance, it differs from directly "solving" the problem. Related phrases include "get around the problem", "sidestep the problem", and "bypass the problem", each with subtle differences in connotation. When writing, remember that using "circumvent" emphasizes avoidance rather than resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get around the problem

Suggests finding a way to bypass the issue, often implying cleverness or resourcefulness.

sidestep the problem

Implies avoiding direct confrontation with the problem, moving to the side to avoid it.

bypass the problem

Focuses on going around the problem, not necessarily solving it directly.

avoid the problem

A more general term for preventing the problem from affecting the situation.

evade the problem

Implies skillfully escaping or dodging the problem.

dodge the problem

Suggests quickly moving out of the way of the problem.

escape the problem

Focuses on getting free from the problem's influence.

skirt the problem

Implies going around the edge of the problem, avoiding its core.

obviate the problem

Suggests making the problem unnecessary or irrelevant.

neutralize the problem

Focuses on counteracting or rendering the problem harmless.

FAQs

How can I use "circumvent the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "circumvent the problem" when you want to describe how to avoid a specific issue by using a strategy or an alternative approach. For example, "To circumvent the problem of limited storage, we used cloud services."

What's a more formal way to say "circumvent the problem"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "obviate the problem" or "neutralize the problem" to maintain a professional tone.

What are some less formal alternatives to "circumvent the problem"?

For less formal situations, you can use phrases like "get around the problem", "sidestep the problem", or "dodge the problem".

How does "circumvent the problem" differ from "solve the problem"?

"Circumvent the problem" implies avoiding or bypassing the issue, whereas "solve the problem" indicates directly addressing and resolving it. Circumventing is about finding a way around, not necessarily fixing the root cause.