root of the problem lie

USAGE SUMMARY

"root of the problem lie" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about the underlying source of difficulty that needs to be addressed. For example, "The root of the problem lies in the lack of adequate funding."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Indeed, they may be in a worse state now than they were then.At the root of the problem lie poor lending decisions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The roots of the problem lie in traditional Chinese beliefs, in uneasy combination with a corrupt authoritarian state.

The Washington Post

Bana believes that some of the roots of the problem lie in the financial downturn in the area around Lake Victoria, one of the regions where there have been the most killings and abductions.

The Guardian

The roots of the problem lie deep.

Vice

The roots of the problem lie in the history of the national parks.

Los Angeles Times

The roots of the problem lie in disruptions of nerve function in the brain, and in most cases the reason is unknown.

Los Angeles Times

Alex Iantaffi, a Minneapolis sex therapist and educator who works extensively with the trans community, thinks the roots of the problem lie in our culture's view of trans people.

Vice

The root of the problem lies in the Caribbean.

The Guardian

But the root of the problem lies in the position to which they have been exposed.

The Guardian

Many farmers acknowledge the conditions of migrant workers, but say the root of the problem lies in the economic situation.

The Guardian

The critics believe the root of the problem lies in the exclusively Norwegian composition of the selection committee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to root causes, avoid oversimplification; acknowledge complexities. Instead of saying "the root of the problem is X", consider "a significant root of the problem is X" to indicate a multi-faceted situation.

Common error

A common mistake is using "lie" (plural form) when the subject is singular. Double-check that the subject is indeed plural, or use "lies" for a singular subject. For example: "The root of the problem lies in..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "root of the problem lie" functions as a subject complement, linking the subject (an understood situation or issue) to its underlying cause. Ludwig AI indicates it's acceptable, although "lies" is more standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "root of the problem lie" is used to pinpoint the fundamental cause of an issue. Though grammatically acceptable according to Ludwig, the more common and strictly correct form is "root of the problem lies". It appears in various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and formal business communications. When using it, clarity and context are key. Consider replacing "lie" with "lies" for accuracy and always ensure your subject is precise. Remember, Ludwig can offer insight, but critical thinking guides the most effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The root cause of the problem is

Focuses specifically on the 'cause' making it a more direct statement.

The underlying reason for the problem is

Focuses on the hidden or not immediately obvious cause.

The source of the issue is

Uses 'issue' instead of 'problem' and 'source' instead of 'root' for a slight shift in emphasis.

The fundamental issue at hand is

Emphasizes the 'fundamental' aspect suggesting a core or essential problem.

The origin of the problem stems from

Emphasizes the problem's development or beginning.

The foundation of the problem rests on

Similar to 'basis' but suggests a more substantial or established cause.

The basis of the problem is

Highlights the foundational element causing the problem.

The crux of the problem is

Highlights the most important or decisive point of the problem.

The key factor in this problem is

Highlights a single, critical element contributing to the problem.

The heart of the matter is

Uses a more metaphorical expression to pinpoint the core issue.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "root of the problem lie" or should it be "root of the problem lies"?

While "root of the problem lie" can be found, the grammatically correct and more common usage is "root of the problem lies". The verb should agree with the singular subject "root".

What does it mean to say that "the root of the problem lies in" something?

It means that the fundamental cause or origin of the issue can be found or attributed to that particular thing.

What are some alternative ways to express that something is the "root of the problem"?

You can use phrases like "the "root cause of the problem"", "the "source of the issue"", or "the "origin of the problem"".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "the root of the problem lies in"?

This phrase is suitable for various contexts, from formal analysis to informal discussions, whenever you need to identify the underlying cause of an issue. It is often used in news, academic writing, and business reports.