staggering problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "staggering problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem that is overwhelming or difficult to comprehend due to its magnitude or complexity. Example: "The staggering problem of climate change requires immediate and concerted action from all nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This presents a staggering problem.

The New Yorker

Bangladeshi government and World Bank officials say they are doing their best to counter a staggering problem.

The New York Times

The jobless rate among youths is nearly 70 percent, a staggering problem that even a college degree does not promise to solve.

The New York Times

If figuring out who you are is a source of angst for the average teenager, it's a staggering problem for Clark.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite the staggering problem of prison illiteracy, only 9% of all inmates with low literacy skills receive literacy training while they are incarcerated.

The Guardian - Opinion

She added that, because of China's huge population, if even a small percentage of people were infected it would lead to a "staggering problem" that would quickly overwhelm the country's fragile health system.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Some major financial institutions have, however, experienced staggering problems because they engaged in the weakened lending practices I described in last year's letter".

The Economist

As finance minister since 1996, he has presided over tremendous economic growth, though unemployment and the yawning gap between rich and poor remain staggering problems.

The New York Times

The SLP's attempts at a mixed economy proved unable to deal with the staggering problems of the new country, especially after Hurricane Allen wiped out the banana crop in 1980.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hancock's traineeship scheme is the latest gimmick coming out of the Tories to disguise the fact they have failed to tackle the staggering problems of unemployment affecting young people".

The Guardian

Reagan's speech at the Evangelical Conference is that he expressed a neutral view of the most staggering moral problem of our age.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "staggering problem" when you want to emphasize the sheer scale and impact of an issue. It's effective in contexts where the problem is not only difficult but also surprising or shocking in its magnitude.

Common error

Avoid using "staggering problem" in very casual or informal conversations. It can sound overly dramatic or unnatural. Opt for simpler terms like "big issue" or "major problem" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "staggering problem" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "staggering" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "problem". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It describes a problem that is surprisingly large, shocking, or difficult to manage due to its scale.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "staggering problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that highlights the immense scale and impact of an issue. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media, it's suitable for formal and neutral contexts. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the magnitude of an issue, but be cautious in casual settings where simpler terms might be more appropriate. Alternatives include "overwhelming issue" and "formidable challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming issue

Replaces "staggering" with "overwhelming", focusing on the feeling of being insurmountable.

formidable challenge

Substitutes both words to emphasize the difficulty and scale of the situation.

daunting predicament

Emphasizes the intimidating and difficult nature of the situation.

significant difficulty

Replaces "staggering" with "significant" to convey importance but less intensity.

monumental crisis

Highlights the crisis aspect and replaces "staggering" with "monumental" to show huge impact.

critical challenge

Focuses on the criticality and urgency of the issue at hand.

serious issue

A more straightforward and less emphatic way to describe a problem.

massive setback

Shifts the focus to the negative impact the problem causes.

major obstacle

Highlights the hindering nature of the problem.

profound dilemma

Emphasizes the depth and complexity of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "staggering problem" in a sentence?

You can use "staggering problem" to describe issues that are overwhelming in scale or impact, like "The country faces a "staggering problem" of unemployment.".

What's a more formal alternative to "staggering problem"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "formidable challenge" or "significant difficulty".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "staggering problem"?

Avoid using "staggering problem" in casual conversations or when discussing minor inconveniences. It's best reserved for truly significant issues. Using phrases like "serious issue" or "major obstacle" can be more appropriate in everyday contexts.

Is "staggering problem" the same as "overwhelming issue"?

While similar, "staggering problem" emphasizes the surprising or shocking magnitude of the issue, whereas "overwhelming issue" focuses more on the feeling of being unable to cope with the problem.