hence the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hence the problem" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to draw a connection between two ideas or facts that indicate there is a problem at hand. For example, "Many schools have inadequate funding, hence the problem with providing quality education to all students."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hence the problem.

The New York Times

Hence the problem detecting them.

The Guardian

Hence the problem of the bankers' bonuses.

The Guardian

Hence the problem, and a resulting lack of respect for political appointments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hence the problem faced by my father on his mother's death: a perfect Sissinghurst, no cash.

The New York Times

In fact exponential decreases start fast and get slower, hence the problem with radioactive waste hanging around for ages.

The Guardian

Hence the problem is how to prevent/mitigate these intersection-related crashes that involve bicycles.

Procedia Manufacturing

Hence the problem of possible control singularity and "explosion of terms" are avoided.

Neurocomputing

Hence, the problem was reduced to the solution of a cubic polynomial equation.

Mechanism and Machine Theory

Hence the problem that eventually faces all family-owned firms: how to hand over from one generation to the next.

The Economist

They love the sweeping wrought-iron staircase so much they want to extend it up through the entire house -- hence the problem with Mr. Lane's memory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hence the problem" to clearly indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, directly linking a preceding situation or fact to the problem it creates. This construction is particularly useful in analytical writing and formal reports.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "hence the problem" can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "that's why there's a problem" or "so the problem is" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hence the problem" functions as a causal connector, explicitly linking a preceding statement or situation to a resulting problem. As Ludwig AI states, it clearly draws a connection between two ideas or facts, indicating a problem at hand. Examples in Ludwig show it used in various contexts to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hence the problem" is a grammatically correct causal connector used to clearly link a cause or situation to a resulting issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively draws a connection between two ideas or facts. It's most commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, its use should be considered in light of the audience and context, with simpler alternatives preferred in more casual settings. Its effectiveness lies in its directness and clarity, making it a valuable tool for analytical and explanatory writing. Top authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thus the issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue", which is a slightly less strong term.

therefore the difficulty

Substitutes "hence" with "therefore" and "problem" with "difficulty", altering the tone slightly.

consequently the challenge

Uses "consequently" instead of "hence" and "challenge" instead of "problem", offering a more formal tone.

accordingly the predicament

Replaces "hence" with "accordingly" and "problem" with "predicament", suggesting a more complex or difficult situation.

as a result, the snag

Employs "as a result" in place of "hence" and uses the more informal term "snag" for "problem".

that's the explanation for the trouble

Offers a more descriptive alternative, explaining that something is the reason for the "trouble".

this explains the predicament

More directly states that something explains the difficult situation.

it follows that the complication

Uses "it follows that" to indicate a logical consequence and "complication" for problem.

the consequence is the hitch

Highlights the consequence aspect, using "hitch" as an informal synonym for "problem".

the upshot is the adversity

Uses "upshot" to mean the result or consequence, and "adversity" to denote a challenging situation.

FAQs

How can I use "hence the problem" in a sentence?

Use "hence the problem" to connect a cause or situation directly to the problem that arises from it. For example, "The budget cuts were severe, hence the problem with understaffing."

What are some alternatives to "hence the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "thus the issue", "therefore the difficulty", or "consequently the challenge" depending on the context.

Is "hence the problem" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "hence the problem" is best suited for formal or analytical writing. In more casual contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "that's why" or "so that's why there's a problem".

What is the difference between "hence the problem" and "therefore the problem"?

Both phrases indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, but "hence the problem" often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone than "therefore the problem". The choice depends on the desired level of formality.