societal woes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "societal woes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to problems or issues that affect society as a whole. Example: "The government is implementing new policies to address the societal woes that have emerged in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

While societal woes contribute to violence and other problems, he said, "we are inflaming this problem by not being responsible".

The New York Times

Societal woes are deftly handled in THE ADVENTURES OF UNEMPLOYED MAN (Little, Brown, $14.99) and HEART TRANSPLANT (Dark Horse, $24.99).

The New York Times - Books

No one, to paraphrase P.T. Barnum, will ever go broke underestimating the ability of the American public to take personal responsibility for greater societal woes.

The Guardian - Money

Music alone is not a "cure all" to all societal woes.

Huffington Post

The coming out track is a blistering jam that has Hill speed-rapping through a heady list of societal woes -- and her targets are wide-ranging.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And the most significant healing of any societal woe emerges from justice done.

Huffington Post

If not addressed immediately, severe economic and societal recovery woes will prevail.

Huffington Post

Ms. Mercury's songs draw on both sambareggae and axe, and they celebrate the power of music to free people from personal woes and societal pressures.

The New York Times - Arts

She's found herself rather cognitively in a situation that she never envisioned and, thanks to several years of societal anarchy and marital woe (Michael's psychology sessions provide us insights into his infidelity and alcohol problems, as does Trevor's unreliable narration), she reacts in the only way she knows how, which leads to her and Michael's separation.

Vice

Treating workers better and paying them more is the first step toward addressing our woes, but this would solve only part of the problem, absent a societal shift in how we value money and the things it buys.

The New Yorker

After all, in his remarks the legendary comedian urged his fellow African Americans to stop blaming racism for their woes and lashed out at single mothers, low-slung pants and names like Shaniqua -- among other perceived societal menaces.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "societal woes", be specific about the issues you are referencing to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just stating "societal woes are increasing", specify "societal woes such as income inequality and lack of access to healthcare are increasing".

Common error

Avoid using "societal woes" as a vague catch-all term. Always provide context and specific examples to illustrate the problems you're discussing. For example, don't say "Politicians must address the societal woes." Instead, say "Politicians must address the societal woes, including the rising costs of housing and education".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "societal woes" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to significant problems affecting a society. As seen in Ludwig examples, it's used to describe widespread issues needing attention. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "societal woes" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that refers to significant problems affecting society. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its usage is relatively rare. It is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that you are specific about the issues to avoid overgeneralization and provide necessary clarity. Alternatives such as "social ills" or "social problems" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social ills

Focuses on the negative aspects and problems within society.

social problems

A more general term for issues affecting society.

societal challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty in overcoming these problems.

social issues

Highlights the concerns that society faces.

community problems

Focuses on problems within a specific community rather than society as a whole.

public misfortunes

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature and widespread impact of societal problems.

civic problems

Highlights the problems connected to public duties of a community.

societal burdens

Focuses on the weight and difficulty that such issues create.

societal afflictions

Highlights the suffering caused by problems.

collective difficulties

Emphasizes that society faces some shared difficulties together.

FAQs

How can I use "societal woes" in a sentence?

You can use "societal woes" to refer to significant problems affecting a community or country. For example: "The new administration aims to tackle the country's most pressing "societal woes"".

What are some alternatives to "societal woes"?

Some alternatives include "social ills", "social problems", or "societal challenges" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "societal woes" and "economic woes"?

"Societal woes" encompass a broader range of problems affecting society, while "economic woes" specifically relate to financial or economic difficulties. For instance, poverty and inequality are "societal woes", while a recession is an economic woe.

Are "societal woes" and "community problems" interchangeable?

While related, "societal woes" generally refers to larger, nationwide or global issues. "Community problems" are more localized issues affecting a specific community, though they can contribute to broader "societal woes".