overcome a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overcome a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of finding a solution or resolving an issue. Example: "After several attempts, the team was finally able to overcome a problem that had been hindering their progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

In each location, she meets a friend and helps them overcome a problem.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The tug of war is a metaphor I use to convey our human nature to want to win – to beat things, to overcome a problem and control it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The firms must also overcome a problem all exchanges face: attracting enough members to make the service useful.Yet cars are expensive, underused assets.

The Economist

To learn more about what other genes are activated that occur when ap2-g switches on, the team, which also included Drs. Monica Guzman and Duane Hassane, had to overcome a problem.

Cornell University

But can he use his considerable juice (not to be confused with "The Juice" aka convicted felon and former gridiron star OJ Simpson) to overcome a problem seemingly more intractable than the nation's economic crisis?

The Guardian - Opinion

During World War II, one of Mr. Mills's former teachers, Waldo Semon, consulted with him to try to overcome a problem plaguing efforts to create synthetic rubber, Dr. Finlayson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The first step to overcoming a problem is realising it exists.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first step to overcoming a problem is recognizing that you have one.

The New York Times

The cell treatment overcomes a problem with using cells from the elderly as donor cells for growing arteries.

Duke University

A lot of the stuff that crosses my desk is not that they overcame a problem but that they used their $2,000 to create an outstanding experience.

Forbes

Pure jurisprudence guides ethics in constructing a theory of humanity by overcoming a problem that, Cohen thinks, any theory of humanity faces.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about problem-solving, specify the method used to "overcome a problem" for clarity and impact. For example, instead of just stating that a team overcame a technical issue, detail the specific steps they took to resolve it.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of "overcoming a problem". If the problem was minor, using overly dramatic language can diminish your credibility. Use language that accurately reflects the scale and impact of the challenge and its resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overcome a problem" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of successfully dealing with or resolving a difficulty. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overcome a problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that signifies the successful resolution of a challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its suitability across diverse contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic discourse. While it appears less frequently in formal business settings, its versatility renders it a valuable asset for articulating problem-solving narratives. Remember to contextualize the specific method employed to achieve this. Consider alternatives like ""solve an issue"", ""resolve a difficulty"", or ""address a challenge"" to diversify your writing, and avoid overstating the significance of the problem that was overcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solve an issue

Replaces 'problem' with 'issue', offering a slightly less formal tone.

resolve a difficulty

Substitutes 'overcome' with 'resolve' and 'problem' with 'difficulty', both indicating a successful handling of a challenge.

address a challenge

Replaces 'overcome' with 'address' and 'problem' with 'challenge', focusing on confronting and dealing with the issue.

tackle a difficulty

Uses 'tackle' instead of 'overcome', suggesting a direct and active approach to handling a difficulty.

conquer an obstacle

Employs 'conquer' to indicate a complete and decisive victory over an obstacle, a more forceful synonym for 'problem'.

surmount a hurdle

Replaces 'overcome' with 'surmount' and 'problem' with 'hurdle', suggesting the act of rising above a challenge.

vanquish an adversity

Uses 'vanquish' to indicate a thorough defeat of an adversity, a stronger and more formal alternative.

navigate a challenge

Replaces 'overcome' with 'navigate', suggesting a skillful guiding through a challenge rather than a direct confrontation.

bypass a difficulty

Implies avoiding the difficulty altogether rather than directly overcoming it.

mitigate a problem

Focuses on reducing the severity of a problem rather than completely overcoming it.

FAQs

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

You can use "overcome a problem" to describe successfully dealing with a difficulty or challenge. For example, "The team worked hard to overcome a problem in the project's initial phase."

What are some alternatives to "overcome a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "solve an issue", "resolve a difficulty", or "address a challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "overcome a problem" or "solve a problem"?

Both "overcome a problem" and "solve a problem" are correct, but "overcome" suggests more effort or difficulty in resolving the issue than "solve" does.

What does it mean to "overcome a problem"?

To "overcome a problem" means to successfully deal with or resolve a challenge or difficulty, often implying that the problem was significant or persistent.