curtail the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "curtail the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reduction or limitation of an issue or challenge. Example: "To improve efficiency, we need to find ways to curtail the problem of excessive downtime in our production line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission of the jewelry, which cost 25 cents to 75 cents and have been sold in 700,000 vending machines, comes after two earlier recalls of a total of 2.4 million pieces of similar jewelry over the last 10 months failed to curtail the problem.

The New York Times

Hoping to curtail the problem before it grows out of control, the Arlington, Va.-based ITAA recently assembled some of the biggest players in business to form the Coalition on Online Identity Theft.

Forbes

You can't stop assholes 100% of the time, but you can watch a room, get a sense of who's making people uncomfortable and curtail the problem before it gets out of hand.

Vice

The present paper attempts to define the principle sources and current levels of heavy metal contamination and summarizes the efforts undertaken by the industry to curtail the problem.

Environmental Health Perspectives

While tools are available to identify PIM prescribing and potential strategies exist to curtail the problem, several fundamental issues still exist.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For his part, Mr. Baehr says the university and the clubs are doing a good job trying to curtail the problems and that an ordinance would intimidate students unnecessarily.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Federal Bureau of Investigation improperly obtained personal information on Americans in numerous terrorism investigations in 2006, but internal practices put in place since then appear to have helped curtail the problems, Bush administration officials said Wednesday.

The New York Times

The affected community and the government should design methods of curtailing the problem of drug use and helping the children off the street.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

But the hard fact is that time has not allowed the bad debts to wash out of the system; now, if banks' ability to generate capital via profits is curtailed, the problem could get worse.

The Guardian - Business

This plan promises to be an important start towards curtailing the problem in the years to come.

BMC Public Health

16, 17 In order to address this public health concern in older adults, particularly within the hospital environment, it is crucial that clinicians have an understanding of potential risk factors for PIM prescribing, advantages and limitations of validated drug evaluation tools for identifying PIM prescribing, and possible strategic approaches to curtailing the problem.

Clinical interventions in aging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "curtail the problem", clearly define the problem you are addressing to ensure your message is precise and effective. For instance, specify "curtail the problem of childhood obesity" rather than just "curtail the problem".

Common error

Avoid using "curtail the problem" when you intend to completely eliminate the issue. "Curtail" suggests a reduction or limitation, not a total eradication. Use alternatives like "resolve" or "eliminate" if complete removal is your goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "curtail the problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "curtail" acts as a transitive verb taking "the problem" as its direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "curtail the problem" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe efforts to reduce or limit an issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is within news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While "curtail" implies reduction rather than elimination, effective use involves clearly defining the specific problem being addressed. Consider alternatives like "reduce", "mitigate", or "alleviate" to fine-tune your message and avoid overstating the impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the problem

Emphasizes making the problem smaller in scope or intensity.

mitigate the problem

Focuses on lessening the negative effects or consequences of the problem.

alleviate the problem

Suggests providing relief from the problem, making it more bearable.

lessen the problem

A simpler way to say "reduce the problem"

diminish the problem

Indicates a reduction in the size or importance of the problem.

curb the problem

Implies restraining or checking the problem's growth or spread.

control the problem

Focuses on managing the problem and preventing it from escalating.

address the problem

Suggests taking action to deal with the problem, though not necessarily reducing it.

resolve the problem

Focuses on finding a solution to completely eliminate the problem.

tackle the problem

Implies a direct and energetic approach to dealing with the problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "curtail the problem" to describe efforts to reduce or limit a specific issue. For example, "New regulations aim to "curtail the problem" of pollution from factories".

What are some alternatives to "curtail the problem"?

Alternatives include "reduce the problem", "mitigate the problem", or "alleviate the problem", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "curtail the problem" or "solve the problem"?

"Curtail the problem" and "solve the problem" have different meanings. "Curtail the problem" means to limit or reduce it, while "solve the problem" means to eliminate it entirely. The best choice depends on whether complete elimination is possible or if managing the issue is the more realistic goal.

What's the difference between "curtail the problem" and "address the problem"?

"Curtail the problem" suggests taking steps to reduce or limit the negative effects of the problem. "Address the problem" is a broader term that simply means to give attention to or deal with the problem, not necessarily reducing it.