raft of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raft of problems" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of issues or difficulties that someone is facing. Example: "The project was delayed due to a raft of problems, including budget constraints and staffing shortages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Taking over all of these stations from a failed business had introduced a raft of problems.

The New Yorker

Those who were switched to the new network early on faced a raft of problems.

The New York Times - Tech

The Wild Bunch, however - a true masterpiece - presents a whole raft of problems.

The Guardian - Film

But as they dig into the details, they realize they are facing a raft of problems.

The New York Times

Given its raft of problems, it is no longer an obvious target for even a healthier rival, like Deutsche Bank.

The New York Times

For instance, the creation of campaign Super Pacs has created a whole raft of problems for campaign finance law.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Removing these raised a whole raft of tricky problems.

The New York Times - Arts

Simply swapping one engine for another does nothing to solve a raft of other problems.

The Guardian

Bank of America reported an $8.8 billion loss, after taking a $20 billion hit to clean up a raft of mortgage problems.

The New York Times

As he takes over as acting chief executive of CBS Inc., Laurence A. Tisch is facing a raft of nettlesome problems that have rocked the company for the last two years.

The New York Times

Mr. Adamec left behind a confused note blaming the state of the world, contemporary Czech society and a raft of personal problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "raft of problems", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the difficulties. Providing specific examples can strengthen your statement.

Common error

While "raft of problems" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in very informal settings. Simpler terms like "many issues" or "lots of troubles" might be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raft of problems" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a collection or multitude of issues. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raft of problems" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe numerous difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence across varied sources such as news, encyclopedias, and formal documents highlights its versatility. While alternatives like "host of issues" or "multitude of difficulties" exist, "raft of problems" maintains a neutral tone suitable for most situations. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides sufficient detail to underscore the scope and nature of the challenges being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

host of issues

Replaces "problems" with a more general term, "issues", slightly softening the negative connotation.

multitude of difficulties

Substitutes "raft" with "multitude" and "problems" with "difficulties", adding a more formal tone.

plethora of challenges

Replaces "raft" with "plethora" and "problems" with "challenges", suggesting a wide array of demanding situations.

barrage of complications

Uses "barrage" to emphasize the overwhelming nature of the "complications".

series of setbacks

Focuses on the sequential nature of the "setbacks".

cluster of predicaments

Replaces "problems" with "predicaments", implying a more complex and entangled situation.

collection of troubles

A more informal and simple way to describe the situation, using "collection" and "troubles".

mountain of obstacles

Uses a metaphorical "mountain" to highlight the imposing nature of the "obstacles".

litany of woes

Emphasizes the lamentable aspect of the "woes", suggesting a long and mournful list.

string of snags

Uses informal terms to describe minor or unexpected problems.

FAQs

What does "raft of problems" mean?

The phrase "raft of problems" refers to a large number of difficulties or issues occurring at the same time. It suggests that someone or something is facing numerous challenges.

What can I say instead of "raft of problems"?

You can use alternatives like "host of issues", "multitude of difficulties", or "plethora of challenges" depending on the context.

Is "raft of problems" a formal or informal expression?

"Raft of problems" is considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "multitude of difficulties" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

How to use "raft of problems" in a sentence?

You can use "raft of problems" to describe a situation where many issues are present. For example: "The new project encountered a "raft of problems", including budget overruns and staffing shortages."