Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

have serious problem

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have serious problem" is not correct in English; it should be "have a serious problem." You can use it when discussing significant issues or challenges that need to be addressed.
Example: "The company has a serious problem with employee retention that needs immediate attention."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We don't have the culture of going to health care providers unless we have serious problem.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We will have serious problems this summer.

News & Media

The Guardian

All these proposals have serious problems.

News & Media

The New York Times

Very few have serious problems with alcohol or drugs.

News & Media

The Economist

We want to act for people who have serious problems".

News & Media

The Guardian

"I have serious problems with it," she says.

We have serious problems when you look at graduation rates.

As a nation we have serious problems: the jobs crisis, the mortgage crisis, the education crisis.

News & Media

The New York Times

He said most of his patients did not have serious problems with drug side effects.

News & Media

The New York Times

A new federal study finds many same-day surgery centers have serious problems with infection control.

"We still have serious problems, but almost every museum does," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article "a" before "serious problem" to ensure grammatical correctness: "have a serious problem."

Common error

A common mistake is to omit the article "a" before "serious problem". Always include the article to maintain correct grammar; otherwise, it sounds unnatural to native English speakers.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have serious problem" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the existence of a significant issue. While the phrase itself is grammatically incorrect without the article "a", it aims to convey that someone or something is experiencing a noteworthy difficulty. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "have a serious problem."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have serious problem" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "have a serious problem". This phrase functions to express the existence of a significant issue. Ludwig AI signals the correct and incorrect form. While it appears across various source types, remember to include the article "a" for grammatical accuracy. More formal alternatives include "encounter a grave issue" or "face a critical challenge". Proper usage ensures clarity and credibility in both formal and informal communication.

FAQs

How do I correctly use the phrase "have serious problem"?

The correct phrasing is "have a serious problem". For example, "The project "has a serious problem" with funding".

What is a more formal alternative to "have a serious problem"?

More formal alternatives include "encounter a grave issue" or "face a critical challenge". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have serious problem" without the article?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The phrase requires the indefinite article "a" before "serious problem". The correct form is "have a serious problem".

What's the difference between "have a serious problem" and "have serious problems"?

"Have a serious problem" refers to a single, specific issue. "Have serious problems" indicates multiple issues. For instance, "The company "has a serious problem" with its supply chain", versus "The company "has serious problems" with both its supply chain and its marketing strategy".

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: