problems crop up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "problems crop up" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe unexpected issues or difficulties that arise. It is often used in a casual or informal tone. Example: "Despite our careful planning, problems inevitably crop up during the event." "The company is facing financial struggles as problems continue to crop up in their production process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But problems crop up right away.

The New York Times - Arts

But when problems crop up, embarrassment ensues.

The New York Times - Tech

Life is tiresome, humiliating, smelly, unhygienic.Similar problems crop up everywhere.

The Economist

But problems crop up and almost certainly keep being created.

The New York Times - Health

Construction problems crop up everywhere and costs continue soaring.

The Economist

Unfortunately, collision problems crop up too often in the heat of the battle.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Soon, problems cropped up.

The New York Times

But problems cropped up.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, problems cropped up.

Harvard Business Review

Other problems cropped up.

The New York Times

Discipline problems cropped up on the college front at — surprise!

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "problems crop up" to convey that issues arise unexpectedly or intermittently. It's suitable for describing situations where difficulties appear despite planning or preventative measures.

Common error

Avoid using "problems crop up" in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "issues arise" or "difficulties emerge" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "problems crop up" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as the predicate of a sentence. It describes the action of problems appearing or arising, often unexpectedly. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is indeed correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "problems crop up" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the unexpected emergence of difficulties. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides multiple examples across diverse contexts. While it's suitable for general use, more formal alternatives like "issues arise" or "difficulties emerge" may be preferable in academic or professional writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources. While the frequency is not very high, it has a consistent and reliable usage throughout authoritative sources and contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues arise

Focuses on the emergence of issues, similar to problems appearing.

difficulties emerge

Highlights the development of difficult situations.

challenges surface

Emphasizes the uncovering or revelation of challenges.

complications develop

Indicates the growth of intricate or complex problems.

snags occur

Refers to minor, unexpected obstacles that arise.

hitches arise

Focuses on sudden interruptions or disturbances.

obstacles emerge

Stresses the appearance of barriers or impediments.

troubles surface

Highlights the revealing of existing troubles or concerns.

difficulties present themselves

Similar to the main query, it emphasizes that problems are showing up.

setbacks happen

Emphasizes unexpected event that delays progress or reverses some of the progress.

FAQs

How can I use "problems crop up" in a sentence?

You can use "problems crop up" to indicate that issues or difficulties arise unexpectedly. For example, "Despite our best efforts, "problems crop up" during complex projects".

What are some alternatives to "problems crop up"?

Alternatives to "problems crop up" include "issues arise", "difficulties emerge", or "challenges surface". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "problems crop up" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "problems crop up" may be considered too informal for strict academic writing. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "issues arise" or "complications develop".

What's the difference between "problems crop up" and "problems arise"?

Both "problems crop up" and "problems arise" indicate the appearance of difficulties, but "problems crop up" often implies that the problems appear unexpectedly or intermittently. "Problems arise" is a more general statement. For example: "Difficulties present themselves" in this project