good problem to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"good problem to have" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any situation where a problem is occurring, but the problem is not necessarily a bad one. For example: "My store has been selling out of certain products so quickly, it's almost like a good problem to have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a good problem to have".

The New York Times - Sports

"This is a good problem to have".

The New Yorker

That's a good problem to have".

The New York Times

It's certainly a good problem to have".

The New York Times - Books

A: That's a good problem to have.

The New York Times

But that's a good problem to have.

The Guardian - Tech

It is a good problem to have," he said.

The New York Times

"It's a good problem to have," Ms. Stabenow said.

The New York Times

All this depth is a good problem to have.

The New York Times

"It's a good problem to have," he explained.

The New Yorker

But it's a good problem to have, Neumann says.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "good problem to have" when acknowledging a situation that presents challenges but ultimately indicates success or advantage. This adds a touch of optimism and perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "good problem to have" sarcastically or when the negative aspects of the problem outweigh the positive. Ensure the situation genuinely has a silver lining.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good problem to have" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig AI confirms it's correctness, often used to reframe a challenging situation as one originating from a positive cause. The expression serves to acknowledge difficulty while underscoring an advantageous underlying condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

TechCrunch

8%

Forbes

7%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good problem to have" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where a problem arises from a positive circumstance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently used in news, sports, and general conversation, with top sources including The New York Times and The New Yorker. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, avoid using it sarcastically or when the negative aspects heavily outweigh the positive. Alternatives include "champagne problem". Remember, use "good problem to have" to acknowledge challenges while highlighting underlying success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a champagne problem

A more direct synonym referencing a trivial or frivolous problem.

fortunate challenge to face

Replaces "problem" with "challenge" and emphasizes the positive aspect of facing it.

welcome difficulty to encounter

Substitutes "problem" with "difficulty" and highlights its positive reception using "welcome".

desirable dilemma to resolve

Employs "dilemma" instead of "problem" and focuses on the positive outcome of resolving it.

happy difficulty to manage

Uses "happy" to emphasize the positive feeling associated with managing the difficulty.

luxury issue to confront

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and uses "luxury" to denote its advantageous nature.

positive challenge to overcome

Highlights the optimistic perspective by describing the situation as a "positive challenge".

pleasant setback to experience

Framing the issue as a "pleasant setback" underscores the overall benefit.

an embarrassment of riches

This idiom expresses having so much of something that it creates a problem of its own.

first world problem

Refers to a problem that only someone in a developed nation would face, implying it's not a serious concern.

FAQs

How can I use "good problem to have" in a sentence?

You can use "good problem to have" to describe situations that are technically problems but stem from a positive outcome, such as, "We're selling so many products we're running out of storage space, but that's a "good problem to have"".

What does "good problem to have" mean?

It means a situation that presents difficulties but is ultimately caused by something positive, such as high demand or success. It acknowledges the inconvenience while highlighting the underlying benefit.

What are some alternatives to "good problem to have"?

Alternatives include "champagne problem", "luxury issue to confront", or framing it as a "fortunate challenge" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "good problem to have" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In very formal contexts, a more nuanced phrase like "a challenge stemming from success" may be more appropriate.