confront a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confront a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to the act of dealing with or addressing an issue head-on. For example, "Facing our financial difficulties head-on, we decided to confront the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Finlay's stories often feature a young protagonist who is forced to confront a problem posed by the social world.

The Guardian - Arts

The justices may also consider that when scientists confront a problem, they collect all the information they can about it and then draw conclusions.

The New York Times - Science

Adam Davidson contrasts climate change with the 2008 financial crisis, when an emergency situation forced politicians to confront a problem head on.

The New Yorker

"They called on members of both parties to seize this opportunity to finally confront a problem that has plagued us for far too long".

The New York Times

The key to taking advantage of a lender's willingness to help, however, is a borrower's willingness to confront a problem before it spirals out of control.

The New York Times

She added that Tuesday's vote was "an invitation to debate and legislate, [and] think about how to confront a problem that exists and which Chile needs to resolve".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

In this field, Bhutan is also confronting a problem with capacity.

Independent

But now, he is confronting a problem whose intractability and deep-seated causes have bedeviled policy makers for decades.

The New York Times

Grabbing the bull by the horns (9), for instance, nearly always means confronting a problem rather than an actual bull.

The Washington Post

WASHINGTON — Senator Bob Dole had just assumed the mantle of Senate majority leader, after the Republican landslide of 1994, when he confronted a problem.

The New York Times

They are confronting a problem of the new era of Alzheimer's research: The ability to detect the disease has leapt far ahead of treatments.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confront a problem" when you want to emphasize a direct and assertive approach to dealing with a difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "confront a problem" in situations where a more neutral term like "address an issue" or "deal with a situation" would be more appropriate. "Confront" can imply a more adversarial or challenging scenario than intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confront a problem" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "confront" is the verb and "a problem" is the object. It indicates the action of directly addressing or dealing with a difficult or challenging situation. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "confront a problem" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for describing the act of directly addressing a challenging situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not overly formal, it conveys a sense of proactive engagement and is commonly found in news and media sources. Alternative phrases like "address an issue" or "tackle a challenge" can be used depending on the specific context and desired nuance. While the phrase is valid, it's important to use it when you want to emphasize a direct and assertive approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address an issue

Focuses on dealing with a matter directly, but with a slightly less intense connotation than "confront".

tackle a challenge

Emphasizes the effort and determination required to overcome a difficult situation.

face a difficulty

Highlights the act of encountering a challenge, but may not necessarily imply immediate action.

meet a problem

Similar to "face a difficulty", emphasizing the encounter with an issue.

take on a problem

Implies accepting responsibility for dealing with a specific issue.

grapple with a problem

Suggests a more prolonged and difficult struggle with an issue.

engage with a problem

Suggests a more thoughtful and analytical approach to understanding and addressing a problem.

deal with a situation

A more general phrase that can encompass a wider range of scenarios, not necessarily negative.

attend to a problem

Highlights the act of giving attention and care to resolving an issue.

resolve an issue

Focuses on finding a solution and bringing closure to a problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "confront a problem" to describe directly addressing a challenging situation, as in "The company decided to "confront a problem" head-on to avoid further complications."

What are some alternatives to "confront a problem"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "address an issue", "tackle a challenge", or "face a difficulty".

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

"Confront a problem" implies directly addressing the difficulty, while "solve a problem" focuses on finding a solution and resolving it.

Is it better to "confront a problem" or avoid it?

While avoiding problems might seem easier in the short term, "confronting a problem" directly often leads to more effective and lasting solutions. However, the best approach depends on the specific situation and the resources available.