growing problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation that is becoming increasingly problematic. For example, "The teacher expressed concern over the growing problem of student absenteeism in her classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A growing problem has been illegal logging.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they suggest a growing problem.

The Economist

"Refusal bias" is a growing problem.

The Economist

I see it as a growing problem.

Independent

But it is a growing problem.

The Economist

But there is another growing problem.

The New York Times

Obesity in pregnancy is a growing problem.

The New York Times

Homelessness was a growing problem.

The Guardian

It is a growing problem.

The Guardian

Violence is a growing problem.

The Guardian

Crowds are a growing problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "growing problem", provide specific evidence or data to support the claim that the problem is indeed increasing. This adds credibility to your statement and helps the audience understand the scope of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "growing problem" as a generic descriptor. Instead, specify the context and impact of the problem. For example, instead of saying "Crime is a growing problem", specify "Cybercrime is a growing problem for small businesses, leading to significant financial losses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing problem" functions as a noun phrase, where "growing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "problem". It describes a situation or issue that is increasing in size, scope, or severity. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its adjectival function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "growing problem" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an issue that is increasing in significance or severity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, providing specific context and data can strengthen your statement. While alternatives like "escalating issue" or "worsening situation" exist, "growing problem" effectively conveys the sense of an issue's increasing scope. Remember to avoid overuse without providing specific details to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escalating issue

Replaces "growing" with "escalating", emphasizing the rapid increase in severity.

worsening situation

Substitutes "problem" with "situation" and "growing" with "worsening", focusing on the deteriorating state.

increasing concern

Shifts the focus to the rising level of worry or apprehension about a specific issue.

emerging crisis

Replaces "problem" with "crisis", suggesting a more critical and urgent situation that is just beginning to surface.

mounting challenge

Replaces "problem" with "challenge" and "growing" with "mounting", indicating an accumulation of difficulties.

burgeoning difficulty

Uses "burgeoning" instead of "growing" and "difficulty" instead of "problem", indicating a rapid expansion of the issue.

aggravating circumstance

Replaces "problem" with "circumstance" and "growing" with "aggravating", emphasizing the intensifying nature of the issue.

intensifying dilemma

Substitutes "problem" with "dilemma" and "growing" with "intensifying", highlighting the increasing complexity and difficulty of the situation.

developing predicament

Replaces "problem" with "predicament" and "growing" with "developing", suggesting an evolving and challenging situation.

exacerbating factor

Replaces "problem" with "factor" and "growing" with "exacerbating", highlighting something that makes a situation worse.

FAQs

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

You can use "growing problem" to describe an issue that is increasing in severity or scope. For example, "Climate change is a "growing problem" that requires immediate action".

What are some alternatives to "growing problem"?

Alternatives include "escalating issue", "worsening situation", or "increasing concern" depending on the specific context.

What makes "growing problem" different from "serious problem"?

"Serious problem" indicates the significance of an issue, while ""growing problem"" emphasizes that the issue is increasing in frequency, scope or intensity over time.

Is it always necessary to quantify a "growing problem"?

While not always required, quantifying a ""growing problem"" with data or statistics strengthens your argument and provides a clearer understanding of the issue's progression.