stem the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stem the problem" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression is "stem the tide" or "stem the flow," which refers to stopping or controlling something from worsening. Example: "We need to stem the problem of rising pollution levels in our city before it becomes unmanageable."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Some measures are being taken to try to stem the problem.

The Guardian

Dr. Ritchie said she believed that the military is moving more aggressively now to stem the problem.

The New York Times

The 50-year-old metallurgist said his main connection with the military was his work as a consultant trying to stem the problem of seriously corroding aluminum pipes.

The New York Times

"The UK government should stop cosying up to their friends in the City and stem the problem at source by ensuring the Square Mile pays more in tax.

The Guardian - Business

An emergency timetable, cutting over 300 daily services a day to help ensure a more resilient and predictable service, has failed to stem the problem.

The Guardian

To stem the problem, the city hired private agencies to collect the coins — only to discover that those workers also took an unauthorized cut.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A home foreclosure crisis is growing, thus far unchecked by an Obama administration program aimed at stemming the problem.

The New York Times

The quick and public action seems to have stemmed the problem for Kellogg's.

Forbes

What role can blogs or mobile travel apps play in stemming the problem your film discusses?

HuffPost

Most environmentalists think of this kind of tactic as a stop-gap solution, short of stemming the problem entirely by removing sea walls and the Matilija Dam.

Los Angeles Times

"Stemming the problems of one hedge fund is easy to do," said the head of research at a major foreign bank in Tokyo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "stem the problem" is frequently used, consider using "stem the tide" or more direct alternatives like "halt the problem" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

The verb "stem" often relates to controlling a flow (like a tide or bleeding). Using "stem the problem" can sound awkward; prefer alternatives that clearly indicate halting or addressing an issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stem the problem" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an attempt to stop or control a particular issue. Despite its common usage, Ludwig AI suggests that it is not entirely correct. The verb 'stem' is better suited for use with 'tide' or 'flow'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stem the problem" is frequently encountered, indicating an attempt to halt or control an issue. However, Ludwig AI notes that the phrasing is not technically correct. The verb 'stem' is better suited for use with nouns indicating a 'flow', like 'tide'. While common across diverse sources, especially News & Media, choosing alternatives such as "halt the problem" or "address the problem" can provide improved clarity and precision. Although widely used, more grammatically sound options are recommended for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stem the tide of problems

Uses the more grammatically accepted version of 'stem the tide', implying a large influx of issues.

curtail the issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue" and uses "curtail" for a slightly less forceful halt.

check the spread of the problem

Focuses on preventing the problem from becoming more widespread.

halt the progression of the problem

Adds specificity by focusing on stopping the problem's development.

control the escalation of the problem

Highlights managing the problem's intensity or severity.

mitigate the effects of the problem

Shifts focus to reducing the negative consequences rather than stopping the problem entirely.

remedy the situation

Suggests correcting or improving an undesirable situation.

address the root cause of the problem

Focuses on dealing with the source of the issue.

tackle the problem head-on

Emphasizes a direct and assertive approach to solving the problem.

stanch the bleeding

A more metaphorical way of expressing halting a loss or negative effect (similar to stemming a flow).

FAQs

Is "stem the problem" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "stem the problem" is not considered standard English. It's more appropriate to use alternatives like "halt the problem" or "address the problem".

What is a more appropriate phrase to use instead of "stem the problem"?

Consider using "stem the tide" (if referring to a large influx of issues) or direct alternatives like "prevent the problem" or "stop the problem" for better clarity.

How can I use the word "stem" correctly in a sentence?

Use "stem" to describe controlling a flow or outpouring, such as "stem the flow of refugees" or "stem the bleeding". Ensure the object is something that can be characterized as a flow.

What's the difference between "stem the problem" and "address the problem"?

"Stem the problem", while used, isn't technically correct. "Address the problem" is a more standard and direct way of saying you are dealing with or tackling an issue.