pose a problem for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pose a problem for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an issue or challenge that affects someone or something. Example: "The new regulations may pose a problem for small businesses trying to comply with the changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet it might also pose a problem for the prosecutors.

The New Yorker

"But that does pose a problem — for Dan.

The New York Times - Magazine

RESTAURANTS like Théo pose a problem for restaurant critics.

The New York Times - Food

But it does pose a problem for the novel.

The Guardian - Books

Such variations pose a problem for gesture detection.

The New York Times - Tech

SHRIMP shells pose a problem for good cooks.

The New York Times

Mr. Zimmerman's actions after the shooting could also pose a problem for prosecutors this week.

The New York Times

Fungi rarely pose a problem for healthy mammals, so there are few treatments.

The New York Times - Science

But I don't see why that should pose a problem for the PBOC.

The Economist

Richman, the Columbia professor, said that dozing jurors could pose a problem for the defense.

The New York Times - Sports

If anything, Line of David could pose a problem for his stablemate.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pose a problem for" when you want to express that something presents a challenge or difficulty, without necessarily implying a severe or insurmountable obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "pose a problem for" when the situation involves significant harm or irreversible damage. Alternatives like "cause severe damage to" or "jeopardize" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pose a problem for" functions as a verb phrase, where "pose" acts as a transitive verb taking "a problem" as its direct object and "for" introducing the recipient of the problem. Ludwig examples show it identifies something that presents a difficulty or challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

46%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pose a problem for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something presents a difficulty or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the severity of the 'problem' aligns with the context to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "create difficulties for" or "present challenges to" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific message you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create difficulties for

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating difficulties, shifting the focus slightly from merely presenting a problem.

present challenges to

This alternative uses "challenges" instead of "problems", suggesting a more surmountable obstacle.

cause issues for

Using "issues" softens the impact compared to "problems", implying less severity.

complicate matters for

This phrase focuses on adding complexity, which can be a nuance not always present in the original phrase.

be detrimental to

This alternative implies harm or damage, suggesting a stronger negative effect.

hinder progress for

Focuses specifically on impeding progress, limiting the context.

obstruct the path for

This alternative uses metaphorical language, making it less direct.

impede the success of

This alternative focuses on preventing success, narrowing the scope.

set back

This is a more concise and informal way of saying something causes a delay or difficulty.

be an obstacle to

This phrase directly identifies something as an impediment, which is a more direct assertion than merely posing a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "pose a problem for" in a sentence?

You can use "pose a problem for" to indicate that something creates a challenge or difficulty. For example, "The new regulations "pose a problem for" small businesses" or "Lack of funding could "pose a problem for" the project's completion".

What are some alternatives to "pose a problem for"?

Alternatives include "create difficulties for", "present challenges to", or "cause issues for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "raise a problem for" instead of "pose a problem for"?

While "raise a problem" is grammatically correct, ""pose a problem for"" is generally preferred when you want to emphasize that something presents a difficulty for someone or something.

What's the difference between "pose a problem for" and "be a problem for"?

"Pose a problem for" suggests something creates a challenge, while "be a problem for" simply states that something is already problematic. The former implies a process or action leading to a difficulty, while the latter describes a current state.