Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
problems to happen
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "problems to happen" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of anticipating or expecting problems to occur, but the phrasing is awkward. Example: "We need to prepare for potential problems to happen during the project."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Academia
Wiki
Alternative expressions(2)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
But for many of the company's critics, the most interesting part of the presentation was what Samsung did not say: How could such a technologically advanced titan — a symbol of South Korea's considerable industrial might — allow the problems to happen to begin with?
News & Media
Luckily, there have never been any major problems to happen in the lab, though there was one instance when someone left the water on in the lab and upon returning, there was water flowing down to the lower floors, much to the annoyance of the lab below.
Academia
What causes these mental-communications problems to happen when Mercury goes retrograde?
News & Media
Anticipatory Organizations™ don't wait for problems to happen, they use Hard Trends to predict problems before they happen and pre-solve them.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
And, having passed the age of fifty, he was just waiting for some health problem to happen.
News & Media
Don't wait for a problem to happen to bring your guinea pig to a specialist.
Wiki
"I do know that problems tend to happen when people try and re-invent the wheel.
News & Media
That's a lot of problems waiting to happen," Ellegood said.
News & Media
"They say we're a problem waiting to happen.
News & Media
Ok, no problem, has to happen at some point.
News & Media
The problem seems to happen in unlocked/jailbroken iPhones and results in a alert appearing on a recipients home screen bearing your message.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use more grammatically accepted alternatives such as "problems that may arise" or "issues that could occur" to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.
Common error
Do not use the phrase "problems to happen" in formal or academic writing. This phrasing is not grammatically standard and can detract from your message's credibility.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "problems to happen" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive phrase, attempting to describe potential future occurrences. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the construction is not grammatically standard and results in awkward phrasing. While some examples exist, they are not representative of authoritative English usage.
Frequent in
News & Media
50%
Academia
25%
Wiki
25%
Less common in
Science
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "problems to happen" is not grammatically correct and should generally be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the construction is awkward. Although present in some online sources, its frequency is rare, and more grammatically sound alternatives, such as "problems that may arise" or "potential complications", are preferred to ensure clarity and professionalism. Stick to established grammatical norms to avoid ambiguity and maintain credibility in your communication.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
problems that may arise
Uses more formal and grammatically correct language; replaces the infinitive construction with a relative clause.
issues that could occur
Replaces "problems" with "issues" and "happen" with "occur", providing a slightly more formal tone.
difficulties that might emerge
Substitutes "problems" with "difficulties" and "happen" with "emerge", suggesting a more gradual unfolding of issues.
potential complications
Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase emphasizing the possibility of complex problems.
foreseeable challenges
Highlights challenges that can be anticipated, changing the focus to anticipation and management.
risks that are expected
Shifts the focus to risks and their anticipation, altering the original phrase's structure.
anticipated troubles
Uses a more direct and slightly less formal way of expressing expected problems.
predicted difficulties
Replaces "problems" with "difficulties" and frames them as predicted or foreseen.
likely setbacks
Focuses on setbacks as the type of problem expected, adding a nuance of temporary hindrance.
impending issues
Suggests that the issues are imminent or about to occur, adding a sense of urgency.
FAQs
Is "problems to happen" grammatically correct?
No, the phrase "problems to happen" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "problems that may arise" or "issues that could occur".
What are some alternatives to "problems to happen"?
Instead of "problems to happen", consider using "potential complications", "foreseeable challenges", or "difficulties that might emerge" depending on the context.
When is it appropriate to use "problems to happen"?
Due to its non-standard grammar, it's best to avoid using "problems to happen" in formal or academic contexts. It might be found in informal speech, but it's not recommended for professional writing.
How can I rephrase "waiting for some health problem to happen" more clearly?
You could say "waiting for a health issue to arise", "anticipating a potential health problem", or "expecting a health issue to occur" for better clarity. These alternatives are more grammatically sound and widely accepted.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.2/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested