evergreen problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'evergreen problem' is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to an ongoing problem that has persisted for a long time, e.g. "The education system in this country is an evergreen problem that we need to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Tackling voter indifference is an evergreen problem - it's why campaigns spend millions on get-out-the-vote efforts.

The Washington Post

All three films take up the vexing, evergreen problem of the media's power to shape and distort reality, and they offer progressively more dire diagnoses of the state of the collective psyche.

The New York Times

Earlier this month, a college literary magazine proposed a tidy solution to the evergreen problem: "if you have to keep declaring, over and over, that poetry is dead, it can't actually be dead". Fair enough.

The Washington Post

All of our customers have this, and it's an evergreen problem".

TechCrunch

Kumta told me that with Up All Night, they're "trying to solve the evergreen problem of discovery and getting into cool events".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Last month, members of New Jersey's Congressional delegation met with the F.A.A. administrator, Jane F. Garvey, to discuss two evergreen problems in North Jersey: aircraft noise and long delays at the chronically congested Newark International Airport.

The New York Times

Whether it be the famous associations, emotional triggers (race), struggle quotes, and evergreen problems (still a problem), the topic brims with that clicky bullshit that publications die for.

Vice

It also makes them keener to suggest harsh punishments for others who are caught cheating.All these problems are evergreen.

The Economist

Problems at Evergreen surfaced soon after Sept. 11, when customers began trying to cash out their accounts.

The New York Times

Although the problem of the Evergreen and Indian Hills protesters was dodged, the wide distances between the event areas was primed to create even more transportation costs, particularly in the form of airlifts between the three cities.

The Guardian - Sport

The question is therefore whether invasive alien plants pose a problem in natural evergreen forests, and if so, which particular species are causing these problems.

Forest Ecosystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "evergreen problem", ensure the context clearly indicates the problem is not new and has persisted over time. This reinforces the meaning and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "evergreen problem" to describe recent issues. The term suggests the problem has existed for a significant duration, so it's inappropriate for newly emerged challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evergreen problem" functions as a noun phrase, where "evergreen" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "problem". The phrase describes a specific type of problem characterized by its long-lasting and recurring nature. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "evergreen problem" correctly describes a persistent and recurring issue, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically sound and sourced from reputable publications, it's relatively rare. It functions as a noun phrase, identifying a problem by its long-lasting nature, suitable for neutral to professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "perennial issue" or "persistent difficulty", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perennial issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" while maintaining the sense of recurrence.

persistent difficulty

Substitutes both "evergreen" and "problem" with synonyms, emphasizing the ongoing nature and challenging aspect.

recurring challenge

Similar to "persistent difficulty", but uses "challenge" to frame the problem as something to be overcome.

long-standing concern

Focuses on the duration of the problem and frames it as a matter of worry or interest.

chronic issue

Implies that the problem is deeply ingrained and difficult to resolve, similar to a chronic illness.

enduring predicament

Replaces "problem" with a more formal and serious term, "predicament", suggesting a difficult or dangerous situation.

age-old problem

Highlights the historical nature of the problem, suggesting it has existed for a very long time.

constant struggle

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty involved in dealing with the problem.

perpetual headache

An idiomatic expression indicating something that is constantly annoying or troublesome.

ongoing tribulation

Uses a more formal and intense word, "tribulation", to describe the problem, suggesting a source of great suffering or distress.

FAQs

What does "evergreen problem" mean?

An "evergreen problem" refers to a problem that is persistent, recurring, and has existed for a long time. It's a problem that doesn't go away easily.

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

You can use it to describe long-standing issues, such as, "Voter apathy is an "evergreen problem" that campaigns constantly address."

What are some alternatives to "evergreen problem"?

Alternatives include "perennial issue", "persistent difficulty", or "long-standing concern".

Is "evergreen problem" a formal or informal expression?

"Evergreen problem" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts. More formal alternatives might be preferred in highly academic or scientific writing.