due to a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "due to a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the reason for a situation or outcome that is caused by an issue or difficulty. Example: "The meeting was postponed due to a problem with the venue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He collapsed with no one near him, seemingly due to a problem with his heavily-bandaged knee.

The Guardian - Sport

One has a broken wing, the other was shot and is limping due to a problem with his leg.

The New York Times

Mrs. Clinton's flight from Newburgh, N.Y., was delayed for over two hours due to a problem with the runway.

The New York Times

It seems that due to a problem with the telestrator, Fox are incapable of showing any replays at present in the Bears-Vikings game.

The Guardian - Sport

In February the company recalled airbag controllers in 112,001 cars due to a problem with a desiccant – a substance added to keep its workings safe from moisture.

The Guardian - Business

The problem was said to be due to a problem in communication between the pitwall crew and the guys in the garage.

The New York Times

If Google Earth was working fine at first, the current issues may be due to a problem with the program's own memory cache.

The New York Times

In most cases when loss of hearing is due to a problem with sound conduction, surgical restoration can correct the defect and restore hearing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Having seen an £8.6m deal for Leroy Fer collapse due to a problem with the Dutch international's knee, and then inquired about Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla, it is John Stones of Barnsley who has provided their first breakthrough.

The Guardian - Sport

"I know the album was supposed to be out today … but we had to push the album back due to a problem," Wayne said in a YouTube "public service announcement".

The Guardian - Music

When his brother-in-law called him to say she had not boarded her flight back to the UK due to a problem with her passport, and had been taken for questions, he told Ratcliffe not to worry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "due to a problem", ensure the sentence clearly identifies what the problem is. Be specific rather than vague to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The delay was due to a problem", specify "The delay was due to a problem with the engine".

Common error

Avoid attributing an effect merely to a symptom of a deeper issue. For instance, stating something failed "due to a problem with the software" might be inaccurate if the root cause was actually insufficient testing or flawed design. Always aim to identify and address the underlying cause, not just the immediate symptom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "due to a problem" functions as an adverbial phrase of cause, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason for an action or state. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is used to attribute an outcome to a specific issue. For example, "The flight was delayed due to a problem with the engine."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "due to a problem" is a grammatically correct and very common causal connector used to explain why something has occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely accepted. It's versatile, appearing in various contexts from news and media to scientific research, though it tends to be more frequent in the former. For more formal situations, alternatives like "owing to a difficulty" might be preferable. When using "due to a problem", ensure clarity by specifying the exact nature of the problem, avoiding vague statements. Steer clear of misidentifying the root cause, focusing on underlying issues rather than mere symptoms. The abundance of examples confirms its relevance and widespread use in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a result of an issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and uses "as a result of" for a slightly more formal tone.

because of a difficulty

Substitutes "problem" with "difficulty", offering a near synonym with a slight variance in severity.

owing to a complication

Replaces "due to" with "owing to" and "problem" with "complication", resulting in a more formal and complex expression.

attributable to a glitch

Implies the problem is a minor malfunction or error, suitable in technical contexts.

caused by an obstacle

Replaces the term "problem" with "obstacle", suggesting a barrier or hindrance.

stemming from a setback

Indicates the problem arose as a consequence of a reversal or delay.

resulting from a challenge

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", suggesting a difficulty that requires effort to overcome.

on account of a snag

Uses "on account of" as a substitute for "due to", and uses 'snag' which implies an unexpected difficulty or obstacle.

as a consequence of a hitch

Replaces "problem" with "hitch", denoting a temporary malfunction or impediment.

deriving from a malfunction

This option is best used when referring to technical systems or processes, as "malfunction" implies a failure to function correctly.

FAQs

How can I use "due to a problem" in a sentence?

Use "due to a problem" to explain the reason for an event or situation caused by a specific issue. For instance, "The concert was canceled "due to a problem" with the venue's acoustics".

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

You can use alternatives such as "because of an issue", "owing to a difficulty", or "as a result of a complication" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it more formal to say "due to a problem" or "because of a problem"?

"Due to a problem" and "because of a problem" are generally interchangeable, but "due to a problem" can sound slightly more formal. For a very formal context, consider using phrases like "owing to a difficulty".

What kind of problems are usually described using the phrase "due to a problem"?

The phrase "due to a problem" can describe a wide range of issues, from minor inconveniences like "The train was delayed "due to a problem" on the tracks" to more significant issues like "The project was delayed "due to a problem" with funding".