isolated problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "isolated problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific issue that is separate from other issues or problems, often implying that it can be addressed independently. Example: "The team identified an isolated problem in the software that was causing the application to crash."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Although isolated problem areas, such as sexual dissatisfaction, did emerge, the level of dysfunction for most physical and psychological scales remained below 30% of scale maxima.

Duke University

Over time, the security environment has evolved from isolated problem areas to sweeping threat matrices — a single attack from sophisticated cyber criminals can encompass multiple attack modes, multiple technologies and stealthy tactics.

TechCrunch

The Mubarak government refused to deal with the Eid incident, insisting that Egypt's streets were safe for women, and calling sexual harassment an "isolated" problem aimed only at girls wearing skimpy clothes.

HuffPost

We used the Isolated Problem Approach, which requires computation of three BEM matrices (Akalin Acar and Makeig 2010; Akalin Acar and Gencer 2004).

Brain Topography

This is not an isolated problem.

The Economist

Ours is not an isolated problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Since then the company has blamed "isolated" problems following the introduction of a new system.

The Guardian - Money

If they come back dirty, then nobody will be able to talk about individual trainers or isolated problems any more.

The Guardian

The judge said he rejected the city's argument "that errors and deficiencies at job centers were isolated problems".

The New York Times

And with rare exceptions, cankers are isolated problems that crop up in healthy people without indicating a serious medical condition.

Harvard University

"There have been very few, very isolated problems," Mr. Leibowitz said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "isolated problem", ensure the context clearly indicates that the problem is not systemic or widespread. This emphasizes that it can be addressed without affecting other areas.

Common error

Avoid using "isolated problem" if the issue is actually indicative of a larger, systemic problem. Using it in such cases can downplay the severity and lead to ineffective solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "isolated problem" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "isolated" modifies the noun "problem", indicating a specific, contained issue. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples, highlighting its role in specifying the nature of the problem.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "isolated problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a specific issue that is not systemic or widespread. Ludwig AI's analysis shows its appropriateness across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately to avoid misrepresenting the scope of a problem and to ensure that the proposed solutions are effective. While "isolated problem" is often used to describe individual or unique difficulties, there is a chance of implying a situation is less severe than it may be.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific issue

Focuses on the issue's distinct nature, emphasizing its particularity.

standalone issue

Highlights the issue's independence from other related problems.

discrete problem

Emphasizes the separateness and individual nature of the problem.

unique challenge

Shifts the focus to the difficulty and individuality of the situation.

one-off difficulty

Suggests the problem is unlikely to recur.

exceptional case

Highlights the atypical nature of the problem.

independent matter

Stresses the lack of connection to other concerns.

self-contained problem

Implies the problem has all its necessary elements within itself.

individual predicament

Focuses on the personal or specific nature of the problem.

localized difficulty

Indicates the problem is limited to a certain area or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "isolated problem" to describe a specific issue that is not indicative of a larger trend. For example, "The team identified an "isolated problem" in the software that was causing the application to crash".

What's the difference between "isolated problem" and "systemic issue"?

"Isolated problem" refers to a single, contained issue, whereas "systemic issue" implies a widespread problem affecting multiple areas or processes. Recognizing the difference is crucial for effective problem-solving.

What can I say instead of "isolated problem"?

You can use alternatives like "specific issue", "standalone problem", or "discrete problem" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "isolated problem" in formal writing?

Yes, "isolated problem" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when accurately describing a non-recurring or contained issue. However, ensure the context warrants its use and that it doesn't downplay a potentially larger problem.