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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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one problem less

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'one problem less' is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically means that a problem or issue has been resolved, leaving one fewer problem to worry about. For example, "With the task finally finished, I have one problem less to worry about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"That is one problem less for me to worry about.

News & Media

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One problem: No less than 16 agencies form the U.S. intelligence community and they communicate poorly with one another.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Fixed effects demonstrated that the variable 'time' was a strong predictor of PDR outcomes (p < =.001, 95% CI = −0.18 to −0.08) and indicated a mean 0.13 (SE = .02) lower occurrence of reported problem behaviors per week: approximately one problem behavior less every eight weeks (1/0.13 = 8).

The Global Study on Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB) in 29 countries showed that although about half of all sexually active respondents had experienced at least one sexual problem, less than 18.8% of women had sought medical help for their sexual problems [ 2].

Or is the problem less one of too little regulation than of poorly focused regulation?

News & Media

The New York Times

There's just one problem with that message: less than half of those one star reviews are actually reviewing the book.

News & Media

TechCrunch

He added: "One problem is that, as there are less bookstores and less libraries, parents are going less and there are no books coming into homes for kids.

The framework sets out priority interventions required for these countries to progress first towards "pre-elimination" (<10 cases per million) and eventually the elimination of TB as a public health problem (less than one case per million).

Government subsidies are less sustainable One problem that Brazil increasingly shares with many EU countries is debt.

The film turned out to be a suburban American rendering of the Book of Job, more or less — just one problem after another.

News & Media

The New York Times

We've all spent time lamenting the jacked-up rents in gentrifying urban neighborhoods—uprooting people who have lived there their whole lives to make room for condos and, of course, bougie nightclubs like the one you attended last weekend but there's one problem that has gotten a lot less air time than it should: the emerging job of the "Silencer".

News & Media

Vice
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Emphasize the positive impact of solving a problem by using "one problem less" to show progress.

Common error

Avoid substituting "one problem less" with phrases like "one problem lesser", as the latter is grammatically incorrect. "Less" is the appropriate comparative form of "little" in this context.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one problem less" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a reduction in the number of problems, suggesting a state of improvement or relief.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one problem less" is a grammatically correct and concise way to express a reduction in the number of issues or concerns, often implying a sense of relief or progress. While considered rare in overall usage, Ludwig confirms its acceptability and notes its prevalence in news media and scientific contexts. When writing, use it to succinctly convey a positive change or resolution, but be mindful of similar expressions to avoid grammatical errors. Alternatives like "one fewer issue to address" or "a concern resolved" can provide nuanced variations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "one problem less"?

Alternatives include /s/one+fewer+issue+to+address, /s/a+concern+resolved, or /s/one+less+thing+to+worry+about, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "one problem less"?

Yes, "one problem less" is grammatically correct. "Less" is used appropriately to indicate a reduction in the quantity of problems.

What does "one problem less" typically imply?

It generally implies a sense of relief or progress, signifying that a specific issue has been resolved, thus reducing the overall burden or complexity of a situation.

In what contexts is "one problem less" commonly used?

This phrase is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from discussing personal challenges to reporting on the resolution of business or societal issues. It's appropriate in both formal and informal settings.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: