encountered problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountered problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone faced challenges or difficulties. Example: During the project, we encountered problems with the new software and had to find a different solution.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But he still encountered problems.

The Guardian

Contreras encountered problems in only one inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Only occasionally has he encountered problems.

The New York Times

The struggle for awareness and money encountered problems.

The New York Times

Cap Gemini, a competitor in Europe, has also encountered problems.

The New York Times

This isn't the first time Xbox gamers have encountered problems.

Independent

Have you encountered problems with overdraft fees at your bank?

The New York Times

Immediately, she encountered problems from Muslim communities and the central government.

The Guardian

But every time I thought I had zeroed in on a potential purchase, I encountered problems.

The New York Times - Tech

Elfyn Llwyd MP, chair of the JUPG, said many veterans encountered problems adjusting to normal life.

The Guardian

At the same time, some customers encountered problems at approximately half of our 7,000 ATMs.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encountered problems" when you want to describe a situation where someone has come across difficulties or challenges, emphasizing the act of facing them. This phrase is versatile and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "encountered problems" is a useful phrase, avoid overusing it. Vary your language by using synonyms like "faced difficulties", "experienced issues", or more specific terms that accurately reflect the nature of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountered problems" primarily functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the experience of facing difficulties or challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encountered problems" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe the experience of facing difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and versatility. It's appropriate for a range of contexts, from news reports and scientific publications to casual conversations. While "encountered problems" is widely used, consider varying your language with synonyms like "faced difficulties" or "experienced issues" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Based on the analyzed sources, this phrase appears most frequently in "News & Media" and "Science". Therefore, be mindful of the specific context and target audience to select the most suitable alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced difficulties

Replaces "problems" with "difficulties", maintaining a similar level of formality.

experienced issues

Substitutes "problems" with "issues", offering a slightly less negative connotation.

ran into obstacles

Uses a more metaphorical expression, replacing "encountered" with "ran into" and "problems" with "obstacles".

met with challenges

Employs a more formal tone, substituting "problems" with "challenges".

had complications

Replaces "problems" with "complications", suggesting a more intricate difficulty.

came up against hurdles

Similar to "ran into obstacles", but uses "hurdles" instead.

endured setbacks

Shifts the focus to the negative consequences, using "setbacks" instead of "problems".

suffered adversity

Implies a more serious and prolonged period of difficulty.

underwent trials

Suggests a testing or difficult experience.

navigated predicaments

Focuses on the act of overcoming difficult situations.

FAQs

How can I use "encountered problems" in a sentence?

You can use "encountered problems" to describe situations where someone faced difficulties. For instance, "The project team "encountered problems" with the software integration phase."

What are some alternatives to "encountered problems"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "faced difficulties", "experienced issues", or "ran into obstacles" instead of "encountered problems".

Is there a difference between "encountered problems" and "faced problems"?

While both phrases are similar, "encountered problems" suggests a more passive experience of running into issues, whereas "faced problems" implies a more active confrontation of difficulties. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "encountered problems" in writing?

"Encountered problems" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing when you want to describe a situation where someone has come across difficulties or challenges. However, consider your audience and choose the phrase that best suits the tone and context of your writing.