contain the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

'contain the problem' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to situations where a problem needs to be managed or kept in check. For example, "The team implemented a policy to contain the problem of employee theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Nobody knew how to contain the problem".

The New York Times

Deleting a single video can't contain the problem — or hold off its triumph.

The New Yorker

Government officials and company engineers are not hopeful that they can contain the problem.

The New York Times

Until a proper vaccine is developed, patients could use inexpensive antiviral drugs to contain the problem.

The Economist

"It will do nothing to contain the problem and probably make it worse," said one, Sujoy Chaudhuri.

The New York Times

The international health, human rights and development bodies that could fund and conduct research or support local efforts to contain the problem are distinguished only by their silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

All the bailouts in Europe — two so far for Greece alone — have done little to contain the problems.

The New York Times

There would be more floods like those in Cumbria, rising sea levels, and disastrous economic consequences as the world tried to contain the problems in future.

The Guardian

The bank was one of the first to signal the beginning of the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US and has been struggling to contain the problems inside its US business.

The Guardian - Business

The failure of the military to contain the problems of abuse was underscored over the last week, during which an Air Force officer and an Army sergeant who led sexual assault prevention programs were accused of assault themselves.

The New York Times

I know you tried your best to contain the problems until they broke through the dam and spilled out everywhere.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contain the problem", ensure the context clearly defines what actions are being taken to limit or manage the issue. Provide specific examples to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "contain the problem" when the actions taken only partially address the issue. Accurately reflect the degree of control achieved; otherwise, it may mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contain the problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "contain" is the main verb expressing the action of limiting or controlling, and "the problem" is the direct object, identifying what is being contained. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contain the problem" is a commonly used phrase for expressing the action of limiting or managing a negative situation, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it's a neutral expression suitable for describing strategies to prevent escalation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the actions taken and avoid overstating the effectiveness of those actions. Consider alternatives like "manage the issue" or "control the situation" for slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage the issue

Replaces "contain" with "manage" offering a less forceful approach.

control the situation

Substitutes "problem" with "situation", broadening the scope to include any set of circumstances.

limit the damage

Focuses on reducing negative effects rather than containing the source of the problem.

curb the spread

Specifically addresses preventing the problem from affecting a wider area or group.

mitigate the effects

Highlights lessening the impact of the problem, rather than its containment.

hold in check the difficulty

Replaces "contain" with the more verbose "hold in check" and "problem" with "difficulty".

keep the issue under control

Emphasizes maintaining control over the problem rather than simply containing it.

restrain the growth

Specifically aims at preventing the problem from increasing in size or severity.

stifle the development

Focuses on preventing the problem from progressing or evolving.

handle the matter

Offers a more general approach to dealing with the problem without emphasizing containment.

FAQs

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

You can use "contain the problem" to describe actions taken to limit or manage an issue, such as "The company implemented new safety measures to contain the problem of workplace accidents."

What are some alternatives to saying "contain the problem"?

Alternatives include "manage the issue", "control the situation", or "limit the damage" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "contain the problem" and "solve the problem"?

"Contain the problem" implies managing or limiting the issue, while "solve the problem" suggests finding a complete resolution. Containing may be a temporary or partial solution, whereas solving is a permanent fix.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "contain the problem"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that you are managing or restricting a problem, rather than fully resolving it. For example, in emergency response, the first step is often to "contain the problem" before addressing the underlying causes.