grievous problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'grievous problem' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or issue that is serious or difficult to resolve, for example: The refugee crisis is a grievous problem that must be addressed as soon as possible.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For all the setbacks in drilling the rescue shaft, the most grievous problem was the lack of discernible tapping signals from below for more than a day.

The New York Times

That seems a grievous problem set against the discomfort of a relatively small colony of marmosets – numbering just a few hundred over the past decade – whose suffering has dramatically improved the treatment of the disease.

Independent

Although left-of-center as far as billionaires go, he's a strong supporter of Israel's conservative government and also one of those very rich people who's convinced that the national debt is America's most grievous problem, once piously refusing to donate any of his vast fortune to either political party until a comprehensive debt deal emerged from Congress.

Vice

Although left-of-centre as far as billionaires go, he's a strong supporter of Israel's conservative government and also one of those very rich people who's convinced that the national debt is America's most grievous problem, once piously refusing to donate any of his vast fortune to either political party until a comprehensive debt deal emerged from Congress.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Poverty and poor health are grievous problems for many communities.

The New Yorker

This unplanned Keynesianism produced a long boom, but bequeathed grievous problems to his successors.

The Guardian

Yet despite knowing for decades about grievous problems, Albany had never acted to reform the system meaningfully.

The New York Times

For example, he has repeatedly described corruption as one of Russia's most grievous problems, saying that the legal system needs to be greatly strengthened.

The New York Times

"None of those grievous problems that you see up north blight the Pearl River delta," said David Dodwell, who has written extensively about the region.

The New York Times

Last year, after The Times began an investigation of Seaport, the state said it would move against the home, even though it had known for decades about grievous problems there.

The New York Times

Moreover, with such grievous problems to address, and an untested leader in Mr Zardari, the PPP-led government may well fail; this would be a further boost for Mr Sharif.But Mr Zardari will also have ways to clip his rival's ambitions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grievous problem" to emphasize the severity and impact of a situation. Reserve it for issues that have significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "grievous problem" for trivial or minor issues. Its strength lies in highlighting truly significant difficulties, so overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grievous problem" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "grievous" modifies the noun "problem". It is used to describe a situation or issue that is serious and impactful. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's suitable for emphasizing the weight of a particular difficulty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grievous problem" is a phrase used to describe a serious and impactful issue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, although its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. To avoid misuse, it is best reserved for situations where the severity of the problem warrants such strong language. Alternatives such as "severe issue" or "critical concern" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. Remember that while grammatically correct, overusing this phrase in minor situations can diminish its effect. Be mindful of the context and ensure that the gravity of the situation aligns with the weight of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe issue

This phrase replaces "grievous" with "severe", indicating a serious and impactful issue.

critical concern

This alternative uses "critical concern" to emphasize the urgent and important nature of the problem.

grave matter

Replaces "problem" with "matter" and "grievous" with "grave", indicating a serious and important issue.

serious predicament

Swaps "problem" for "predicament" and "grievous" for "serious", suggesting a difficult or dangerous situation.

dire situation

This phrase replaces "problem" with "situation" and "grievous" with "dire", suggesting a very serious and urgent issue.

acute crisis

Replaces "problem" with "crisis" and "grievous" with "acute", emphasizing the urgency and severity.

major challenge

This alternative softens the severity slightly by using "challenge" instead of "problem", but still implies significant difficulty.

significant difficulty

Replaces the term "problem" with a more general term, but remains similar in the level of the impact of the problem.

substantial setback

This phrase implies that the "problem" has caused a delay or obstruction in progress.

troubling development

This alternative suggests that the "problem" is an event or situation that causes worry or concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "grievous problem" to describe significant and impactful issues, for example, "The lack of clean water is a "grievous problem" in many developing nations."

What are some alternatives to "grievous problem"?

Alternatives include "severe issue", "critical concern", or "dire situation", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "grievous problem" a formal or informal expression?

"Grievous problem" is generally considered a formal expression suitable for news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. More informal options might include "big issue" or "serious trouble".

What makes a problem "grievous"?

A "grievous problem" is one that is extremely serious, causes significant suffering or harm, and has far-reaching negative consequences. It's more severe than a typical problem or difficulty.