creating problems for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "creating problems for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing actions or situations that lead to difficulties or complications for someone or something. Example: "His constant lateness is creating problems for the entire team, affecting our productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They just keep creating problems for us.

The Guardian

So North Korea's nuclear ambitions are creating problems for China.

The New York Times

"You could argue that at these rates, they're creating problems for the long term.

The New York Times

And most important, they continue surfing without creating problems for government officials.

The New York Times - Sports

"Now you're creating problems for me," the defender said to laughter.

The New York Times

McDonnell said the lack of clarity over Brexit was creating problems for businesses.

The Guardian

NEVER mind that back on Planet Earth, Oracle's bid was indeed creating problems for PeopleSoft.

The New York Times

Steady declines in smoking, a big win for public health, are creating problems for municipal bond investors.

The New York Times

"As they are not Afghans, they won't care about Afghanistan's national interest, and they are creating problems for us".

The New York Times

Unfortunately, America's support for Jonathan risks sabotaging him and even creating problems for the US and President Obama.

The Guardian - Opinion

And many schools, he said, are creating problems for themselves by overloading their electrical systems with new electronic equipment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if the situation warrants greater emphasis, such as "derailing", "sabotaging", or "endangering".

Common error

Avoid using "creating problems for" with overly broad or undefined subjects. Instead of saying "Technology is creating problems for society", specify which technologies and which societal aspects are affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "creating problems for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle construction acting as a modifier. It describes an ongoing action that results in difficulties for someone or something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "creating problems for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote actions or situations that lead to difficulties. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. While widely applicable, it's best practice to ensure specificity in subject and consequence. For variety, consider alternatives like "causing difficulties for" or "generating issues for", tailoring your choice to the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causing difficulties for

Focuses more generally on generating difficulties rather than specifically problems.

generating issues for

Emphasizes the production of issues, which may be less severe than outright problems.

complicating matters for

Focuses on making situations more complex and intricate.

leading to complications for

Highlights the consequential nature of creating problems, focusing on resulting complications.

making things difficult for

Uses a more informal and general expression of causing difficulty.

raising obstacles for

Emphasizes the act of putting barriers in someone's path.

posing challenges for

Frames the problems as challenges that need to be overcome.

setting back progress for

Highlights the hindering of advancement or improvement.

inflicting hardship on

Focuses on the negative impact and suffering caused.

sowing discord among

Highlights the creation of disagreement and conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "creating problems for" in a sentence?

You can use "creating problems for" to describe actions or situations that lead to difficulties or complications for someone or something. For instance, "His constant lateness is creating problems for the entire team".

What are some alternatives to "creating problems for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "causing difficulties for", "generating issues for", or "leading to complications for".

Is "creating problems for" formal or informal?

"Creating problems for" is suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. More informal alternatives might include "making things hard for".

Which is correct, "creating problems for" or "creating solutions for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Creating problems for" means causing difficulties, while "creating solutions for" means finding answers to difficulties.