pinpointed the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pinpointed the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has identified a specific issue or difficulty. Example: "After thorough analysis, the team pinpointed the problem that was causing the delays in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

After several travelers complained, Mr. Rodriguez said, he pinpointed the problem: "There was a woman discreetly eating fried squid".

The New York Times

Technicians concluded that a software bug had infected the "brains" of the drone, but never pinpointed the problem.

Independent

The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service pinpointed the problem 10 days after President Obama signed the health care law in March 2010.

The New York Times

But over the weekend, Russian astronauts pinpointed the problem to balky power circuitry that acts as surge protectors for the computers and bypassed the circuit.

The New York Times

So why, seeing as Martel himself pinpointed the problem with the book so precisely, would he go ahead and publish it now?

The Guardian - Books

Michael Lowndes, a spokesman for the power authority, pinpointed the problem to Sands Point, on the North Shore of Long Island, but said it was unclear what caused the incident.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

They should pinpoint the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes it even takes exploratory surgery to pinpoint the problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Yankees sent him for an arthrogram today in hopes of pinpointing the problem.

The New York Times - Sports

If they sound frustrated, we try to pinpoint the problem and they calm down.

The New York Times

Luckily, many debugging tools are available to help the developer pinpoint the problem by controlling the state of execution.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pinpointed the problem", ensure the context clearly indicates that a specific problem has been identified after investigation or analysis. This adds clarity and weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "pinpointed the problem" without providing context or specifying what the problem actually is. Overusing the phrase without backing it up with details can make your writing sound vague and less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pinpointed the problem" typically functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of identifying a specific issue or difficulty. According to Ludwig, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pinpointed the problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the precise identification of an issue. Analysis by Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's suitable for various contexts, including news, academia, and business, with news sources being the most frequent. While versatile, it's crucial to provide context to ensure clarity. Alternatives include "identified the issue" or "diagnosed the root cause", depending on the desired level of formality and specificity. Remember to avoid vagueness and always back up the phrase with concrete details to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identified the issue

This alternative is a more general term for finding the problem, suitable for various contexts.

located the source of the trouble

This alternative emphasizes finding the origin or cause of the problem.

diagnosed the root cause

This alternative is more technical and suggests a deeper analysis to find the fundamental reason for the problem.

determined the difficulty

This alternative is a formal way of expressing that the problem was discovered.

ascertained the hitch

This alternative uses a less common word, "hitch", to refer to a problem, adding a slightly informal tone.

figured out what went wrong

This alternative is more conversational and emphasizes the process of understanding the failure.

traced the defect

This alternative focuses on following the issue back to its origin, implying a detailed investigation.

unearthed the obstacle

This alternative emphasizes finding a hidden or less obvious problem.

recognized the core challenge

This alternative is a more sophisticated way of referring to the central issue needing resolution.

clarified the snag

This alternative uses a more informal word, "snag", to refer to a problem, suggesting a small, unexpected issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "pinpointed the problem" to indicate that someone has identified a specific issue or difficulty. For example, "After thorough analysis, the team "pinpointed the problem" that was causing the delays in the project."

What can I say instead of "pinpointed the problem"?

You can use alternatives like "identified the issue", "located the source of the trouble", or "diagnosed the root cause" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "pinpointed the problem" in formal writing?

Yes, "pinpointed the problem" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing technical or analytical contexts. However, consider alternatives like "determined the difficulty" for a more elevated tone.

What's the difference between "pinpointed the problem" and "identified a problem"?

"Pinpointed the problem" suggests a more precise and specific identification after some investigation. "Identified a problem" is a more general statement indicating that an issue has been recognized, but not necessarily with specific detail.