horrific problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrific problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that is extremely distressing or severe in nature. Example: "The community is facing a horrific problem with rising crime rates that has left residents feeling unsafe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's a horrific problem in Tanzania.

The Guardian

But lawyers on the front lines say that credit card debt collection remains a horrific problem.

The New York Times

The Fair Funeral Pledge is a small step to address a growing and horrific problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

But later, a woman who escaped told him that the plan developed a horrific problem.

The New York Times

Since then, New York has wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars defending the case, rather than addressing this horrific problem.

The New York Times

"He had taken what many thought was an unsolvable, horrific problem, and made it work," said Mr. Beauman.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The problem is creating new, horrific problems for children who have plenty of problems already.

The Guardian - Opinion

No! All I decided to do was tell the truth about myself because I was so relieved that I had overcome horrific problems in my life.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Congolese used to blame their leaders for their horrific problems, but many now blame juvenile necromancy instead.With broods of ten commonplace, there are plenty of children to accuse.

The Economist

Officers said legal highs caused "horrific problems" in Taunton.

BBC

The 2016 meeting faced the challenges of a vast agenda of complex, horrific problems across the world that urgently need to be addressed.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "horrific problem", ensure the context clearly establishes the severity and distressing nature of the issue you are describing. It is best suited for situations that evoke strong negative emotions or have devastating consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "horrific problem" to describe minor inconveniences or everyday challenges. Save this phrase for truly severe and shocking situations to maintain its impact and avoid trivializing genuine crises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrific problem" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "horrific" modifies the noun "problem". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The adjective intensifies the severity of the problem being described, portraying it as extremely distressing or shocking.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "horrific problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a situation of extreme severity and distress. Ludwig AI confirms this, emphasizing its frequent occurrence in News & Media. While alternatives like "terrible predicament" or "dire issue" exist, "horrific problem" effectively conveys the shocking and negative impact of the issue at hand. It is crucial to reserve this phrase for truly grave situations to maintain its intended emphasis and avoid diminishing its impact through overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awful situation

Changes "horrific" to "awful" and "problem" to "situation", indicating a very unpleasant set of circumstances.

dire issue

Substitutes "horrific" with "dire" and "problem" with "issue", emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.

appalling state

Replaces "horrific" with "appalling" and "problem" with "state", emphasizing a shocking and terrible condition.

terrible predicament

Replaces "horrific" with "terrible" and "problem" with "predicament", suggesting a difficult situation.

severe challenge

Changes "horrific" to "severe" and "problem" to "challenge", focusing on the difficulty and intensity of the situation.

dreadful plight

Changes "horrific" to "dreadful" and "problem" to "plight", conveying a distressing and unfortunate situation.

grave concern

Replaces "horrific" with "grave" and "problem" with "concern", highlighting the seriousness and worry associated with the issue.

serious crisis

Substitutes "horrific" with "serious" and "problem" with "crisis", conveying a critical and urgent situation.

critical dilemma

Replaces "horrific" with "critical" and "problem" with "dilemma", emphasizing a difficult choice or problem.

major catastrophe

Substitutes "horrific" with "major" and "problem" with "catastrophe", indicating a large-scale disaster.

FAQs

What does "horrific problem" mean?

A "horrific problem" describes a situation or issue that is extremely distressing, shocking, or severe in nature. It implies significant negative impact and often evokes strong emotions.

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

You can use "horrific problem" to describe events like, "The community is facing a "horrific problem" with rising crime rates" or "The environmental damage caused by the oil spill is a "horrific problem" for the local ecosystem".

What can I say instead of "horrific problem"?

You can use alternatives like "terrible predicament", "dire issue", or "awful situation" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "horrific problem" in formal writing?

Yes, "horrific problem" can be used in formal writing, especially when accurately describing a dire or shocking situation. However, ensure that the tone and context are appropriate for the level of formality.