diagnose a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diagnose a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the process of identifying the cause of an issue or malfunction, often in technical or medical contexts. Example: "The technician was called in to diagnose a problem with the heating system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

But on strictly baseball terms he was confident enough to diagnose a problem.

The New Yorker

Use only if needed to diagnose a problem during the percolation.

Harvard University

If you want to diagnose a problem with aiStarter, try running aiStarter from the console.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It has evolved into a way for mechanics to plug their computers into the port to diagnose a problem.

The New York Times

Under stress and time pressure, it's difficult to stay calm, diagnose a problem, and come up with solutions.

Harvard Business Review

But a President who sets out to diagnose a problem had better be able to offer a plausible solution to it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

HARLOW: Mr. Schultz, you have diagnosed a problem.

The Washington Post

Bono The thing that I've always found really difficult to cope with was medical professionals diagnosing a problem and not being able to treat it.

The Guardian

Connie Simpson has diagnosed a problem that parents everywhere will recognise, but few have truly addressed: "We've become such a society of hurry-up-and-wait," she sighs.

The Telegraph

Early chapters show how to classify cases according to the analytical task they require (making a decision, performing an evaluation, or diagnosing a problem) and quickly establish a base of knowledge about a case.

Harvard Business Review

I have found it to be a powerful way to quickly explain reframing how it differs from merely diagnosing a problem and how it can potentially create dramatically better results.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diagnose a problem", ensure the context clearly indicates the area or system to which the problem belongs. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "diagnose a problem" without specifying what kind of problem. Instead, provide context: "diagnose a network connectivity problem" is much clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diagnose a problem" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "diagnose" is the verb indicating the action of identifying the nature of a problem and "a problem" is the object. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from technical issues to medical conditions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diagnose a problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing the identification and analysis of issues across varied fields. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science", exhibiting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, aim for specificity to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "identify an issue" or "determine the cause of a problem" exist, "diagnose a problem" implies a more in-depth investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify an issue

Replaces "diagnose" with a more general term, focusing on the identification of a problem.

find the root cause

Synonymous and highlights the process of identifying the origin of a problem.

determine the cause of a problem

Emphasizes the process of finding the root cause of the issue.

troubleshoot the malfunction

Highlights the process of identifying and resolving a technical issue.

pinpoint the source of the trouble

Uses more descriptive language to convey the act of locating the origin of the problem.

get to the bottom of the issue

Implies a thorough investigation to uncover the fundamental problem.

analyze the fault

Focuses on a detailed examination of the malfunction.

uncover the source of difficulty

Highlights discovering the source of difficulty rather than a "problem".

assess the situation

Offers a broader perspective, considering the overall state and potential issues.

recognize the underlying issue

Identifies an existing but possibly non-obvious problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "diagnose a problem" to describe the process of identifying the cause of an issue. For example: "The technician was called to diagnose a problem with the machine".

What are some alternatives to "diagnose a problem"?

Alternatives include "identify an issue", "determine the cause of a problem", or "pinpoint the source of the trouble" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "diagnose a problem" or "identify a problem"?

"Diagnose a problem" implies a more in-depth analysis to find the root cause, whereas "identify a problem" simply means recognizing that an issue exists. The best choice depends on the level of investigation involved.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "diagnose a problem"?

The phrase "diagnose a problem" is suitable in contexts where a systematic analysis is required to understand the underlying cause of a malfunction, such as in technical fields, medicine, or complex systems analysis.