concrete problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"concrete problem" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it anytime you want to refer to a specific issue or difficulty, rather than an abstract concept. For example, "We need to find a solution to this concrete problem as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For Sanders, guns have been a more concrete problem.

The New Yorker

Based on specification composition and refinement, the framework support mechanical program generation for concrete problem solving.

Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science

The chapter begins with the concrete problem of simultaneously denoising, decomposing, and deblurring a given image.

Advances in Imaging and Electron Physics

This paper addresses a concrete problem in the field of power engineering.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

This kind of worry ruminating about possible bad things that may happen to us or our loved ones — is entirely different from concrete problem solving.

Independent

"A critically important strategy for regret reduction, according to the elders we interviewed, is increasing the time spent on concrete problem solving and drastically eliminating time spent worrying.

Independent

A more concrete problem is that postseason series, best-of-five or best-of-seven sprints, are poor tools for separating the evenly matched teams that play them.

The New York Times - Sports

1 I can't say anything without you jumping down my throat' You are arguing about the way things are said, rather than a concrete problem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We rediscovered a simple, human weakness: that we cannot conceive of an abstract problem, or even a concrete problem involving huge numbers, except through one individual.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bush's invention of the product integraph was a direct result of the success of its predecessor at a single concrete problem.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The program's emphasis on concrete problem-solving is new for some teachers who do not have strong backgrounds in teaching math to preschoolers, she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "concrete problem" to signal a shift from abstract discussions to practical considerations. This helps focus the conversation on actionable steps.

Common error

Avoid using "concrete problem" when referring to broad, systemic issues that lack clear boundaries or actionable solutions. For those, consider "overarching challenge" or "systemic issue" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concrete problem" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. According to Ludwig, it refers to a specific issue or difficulty, rather than an abstract concept. The examples show it highlighting tangible and specific challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "concrete problem" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a specific, tangible issue, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's frequently used in science, news, and academic contexts to highlight practical challenges that require attention. While alternatives like "specific issue" or "tangible challenge" exist, "concrete problem" effectively emphasizes the real and actionable nature of the difficulty. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides sufficient detail to understand the specific problem being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific issue

Emphasizes the particular and well-defined nature of the problem.

tangible challenge

Highlights the real and touchable aspect of the difficulty.

defined obstacle

Focuses on the clear and unambiguous nature of the impediment.

practical difficulty

Underscores the real-world and hands-on nature of the problem.

identifiable issue

Highlights that the problem is recognizable and distinct.

real-world problem

Emphasizes the problem's existence outside of theoretical or abstract contexts.

actionable problem

Highlights the possibility of addressing and solving the problem effectively.

manageable issue

Suggests that the problem is within a scope that can be controlled and resolved.

resolvable challenge

Focuses on the potential for the problem to be overcome or solved.

palpable problem

Emphasizes the noticeable and easily perceived nature of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "concrete problem" in a sentence?

You can use "concrete problem" to describe a specific and tangible issue that needs to be addressed. For example, "The lack of funding is a "concrete problem" hindering our research."

What's the difference between "concrete problem" and "abstract problem"?

A "concrete problem" is well-defined and has identifiable components, while an abstract problem is more theoretical and lacks specific details.

What are some alternatives to using "concrete problem"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "specific issue", "tangible challenge", or "practical difficulty" instead of "concrete problem".

Is it better to address a "concrete problem" or an abstract one first?

Addressing a "concrete problem" first can often provide momentum and create a framework for tackling more complex, abstract issues later on.