flag a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flag a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate or highlight an issue that needs attention or resolution. Example: "During the meeting, I will flag a problem that has been affecting our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

False-positive results (which flag a problem when none exists) can lead to anxiety and further testing.

Harvard University

The danger is that if that algorithm is compromised, there's no other signal that would flag a problem with it.

MIT Technology Review

Pulses that come too late or too early, or are too bright or faint, flag a problem that chip developers can address.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But the day after the Senate vote, House leaders flagged a problem - the Senate version appeared to violate a constitutional provision that requires new taxes to originate in the House rather than the Senate.

The Washington Post

The alert flagged a problem to Flex 30 minutes before the news hit the mainstream media.

Forbes

By 1818, with the states numbering 20 and climbing, Congress realized that the flag had a problem.

The New York Times

The first is called School Action; this is when the school or parents flag up a problem – whether it's problems with literacy, organisation or behaviour, etc.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, suddenly, the Confederate flag is a problem, despite its angry, haughty, menacing presence for more than half a century?

Huffington Post

If the percentage is very high, it might flag a potential problem.

Forbes

Clearly this will influence any downstream association analysis, so in this case, our analysis of variance served to flag a serious problem in the array data.

BMC Medical Genomics

It's good to know Nationwide has strict security measures in place, but these could, as you say, be harmlessly adapted when you've flagged up a problem.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flag a problem", ensure that the context clearly defines what constitutes a "problem". Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "flag a problem" is acceptable, overuse in formal documents can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "identify an issue" or "highlight a concern" to maintain reader engagement and a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flag a problem" functions as a verb phrase, where "flag" acts as a transitive verb meaning to bring something to attention, and "problem" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flag a problem" is a versatile and commonly used expression that means to bring an issue or difficulty to someone's attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, from formal reports to casual discussions. While "flag a problem" is generally acceptable, you may choose more formal alternatives like ""identify an issue"" or ""highlight a concern"" in professional settings to avoid repetition and maintain a polished tone. When using this phrase, ensure the "problem" is clearly defined to avoid any ambiguity. Overall, "flag a problem" is a reliable way to communicate concerns, and is appropriate in a wide range of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify an issue

Replaces "flag" with a more direct verb, focusing on the act of identification.

highlight a concern

Substitutes "flag" with "highlight" and "problem" with "concern", softening the tone.

indicate a difficulty

Uses "indicate" instead of "flag", emphasizing the act of pointing out a challenge.

point out a trouble

Replaces "flag" with "point out" and "problem" with "trouble", maintaining a similar level of formality.

signal an issue

Employs "signal" as a synonym for "flag", suggesting a warning or alert.

raise an alarm about a problem

Adds emphasis to the potential severity of the issue by using "raise an alarm".

draw attention to a challenge

Shifts focus to attracting awareness to the difficulty at hand.

call attention to an issue

Highlights the action of making something noticeable.

note a potential issue

Indicates recognition of an issue that may arise.

detect an anomaly

Uses more technical language, suitable for contexts where irregularities are being monitored.

FAQs

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

You can use "flag a problem" to indicate that you are bringing attention to an issue. For example: "During the review, I will "flag a problem" with the budget."

What are some alternatives to "flag a problem"?

Alternatives include "identify an issue", "highlight a concern", or "signal an issue", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "flag a problem" in formal writing?

Yes, it is generally acceptable, but consider using more formal alternatives like "identify an issue" to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean to "flag a problem"?

To "flag a problem" means to bring it to someone's attention, often indicating that it needs to be addressed or resolved.