counteract a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'counteract a problem' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the action of taking measures to reduce or neutralize the impact of a specifically identified problem. For example, "Our team is actively working to counteract the problem of homelessness in our community by providing housing and job training opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The group was also quick to counteract a problem faced by many grassroots efforts – making sure clothing and equipment donations were what the refugees and charities needed – by setting up an Amazon wishlist.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To counteract this problem a potential solution may be to conduct repeated and relatively frequent determinations of XIAP mRNA levels during therapy where a consistent trend may emerge that can then be more confidently distinguished from background variability.

British Journal of Cancer

Everyone should do Saturday jobs because they increase humility and counteract a major problem - an excess pride among young people".

BBC

To counteract this problem, they modified a course structure in a first-year undergraduate mathematics course, by providing students who did not progress as expected, opportunity to learn in smaller classes and with increased interaction and frequent feedback and scaffolding from the instructor.

Fields Mathematics Education Journal

This is known as a Bonferroni correction, a conservative statistical method to counteract the problem of type I error (false positives) in multiple comparisons.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The porcelain cups and tea pots came in with the leaves, used as ballast to counteract the problem for shippers of a very bulky but very light cargo.

The Guardian

While rain can also counteract the problem, that's been a rare luxury in sunny California.

Huffington Post

"One way to counteract that problem is to follow a simple tahini recipe [Editor's note: he recommends the one in his book, which is fantastic] ― it combines great quality raw tahini with lemon juice, water, and garlic".

Huffington Post

In statistics, the Bonferroni correction is a method used to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons.

BioMed Research International

To counteract this problem, the KOSCO committee leads a training course for rehabilitation specialists twice a year.

BMJ Open

But Harvey also laid out a series of steps that could counteract the problem, including policy recommendations that could be effected by concerned citizens.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "counteract a problem", clearly identify the problem you are addressing to provide context and demonstrate a clear understanding of the issue at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "counteract a problem" without specifying the specific problem. Vague usage weakens the statement. Instead of saying 'We need to counteract a problem', specify 'We need to counteract the problem of low voter turnout' to add clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "counteract a problem" functions as a verb phrase where 'counteract' is the verb and 'a problem' is the object. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the action of taking measures to reduce or neutralize the impact of a specifically identified problem.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "counteract a problem" is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It describes the action of taking measures to reduce or neutralize the impact of a specific issue. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe actions to reduce or neutralize a problem. Usage is relatively rare, appearing in varied sources, including news, scientific publications and encyclopedias. To use it effectively, ensure you clearly specify the problem you are addressing. Related phrases include "address an issue" and "mitigate a challenge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address an issue

Replaces 'counteract' with 'address', focusing on dealing with the problem directly.

mitigate a challenge

Substitutes 'counteract' with 'mitigate' emphasizing reducing the severity of the challenge.

resolve a difficulty

Replaces 'counteract' with 'resolve', highlighting the solving aspect of the difficulty.

combat a difficulty

Replaces 'counteract' with 'combat', presenting a more forceful approach to the difficulty.

tackle a challenge

Substitutes 'counteract' with 'tackle', suggesting a proactive and hands-on approach to the challenge.

alleviate a concern

Replaces 'problem' with 'concern' and 'counteract' with 'alleviate' implying a reduction of worry.

correct a flaw

Substitutes 'counteract' with 'correct', focusing on fixing the flaw.

rectify a situation

Replaces 'counteract' with 'rectify', indicating the correction of a situation.

neutralize a threat

Replaces 'counteract' with 'neutralize', focusing on rendering the threat harmless.

offset an effect

Substitutes 'counteract' with 'offset' and 'problem' with 'effect', focusing on balancing the outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "counteract a problem" by clearly identifying the issue you are trying to resolve. For example, "The new policy aims to "counteract a problem" of employee burnout by offering flexible work hours".

What are some alternatives to saying "counteract a problem"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "address an issue", "mitigate a challenge", or "resolve a difficulty".

Is it better to say "counteract a problem" or "solve a problem"?

While both are valid, "counteract a problem" implies reducing or neutralizing the negative effects of an existing problem, whereas "solve a problem" suggests completely eliminating it. The choice depends on whether a full resolution is possible or if mitigation is the more realistic goal.

What's the difference between "counteract a problem" and "prevent a problem"?

"Counteract a problem" refers to actions taken after a problem has already arisen to lessen its impact. "Preventing a problem" involves taking steps to stop it from happening in the first place.