stemming the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stemming the problem" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression is "stemming the tide" or "stemming the flow," which refers to stopping or controlling something from worsening. Example: "The government is working on stemming the problem of rising unemployment rates through various initiatives."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

The lobbying group is calling for hard-hitting awareness campaigns, similar to the approach taken to smoking, to try to stem the problem.

BBC

As we've previously discussed, these obligations have failed to stem the problem.

Huffington Post

Soto said Yellow Cab was hoping to stem the problem as soon as late Friday without making a payment.

Los Angeles Times

The U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks will invariably serve as a reference point as Europe struggles to stem the problem of radicalization and home-grown terrorists.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "stemming the problem" is understandable, prefer "stemming the tide" or more direct alternatives like "addressing the problem" for clearer and more conventional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "stemming" with general nouns like "problem". It's typically used with things that flow, like "tide", "flow", or "bleeding". Instead, opt for verbs like "addressing", "mitigating", or "solving" for a more precise meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stemming the problem" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, describing the action of trying to stop a problem. Ludwig AI notes that this wording is not standard English. This contrasts with examples using "stemming" with nouns like "tide" or "flow".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "stemming the problem" is understandable, it is not considered standard English usage. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives such as "addressing the issue" or "mitigating the problem" for greater clarity and grammatical correctness. The phrase appears rarely, primarily in News & Media. For formal or professional writing, opting for more conventional wording enhances communication effectiveness. It's best to reserve "stemming" for nouns related to flow or tides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curbing the issue

Replaces "stemming" with "curbing" and "problem" with "issue", focusing on limiting the extent of the issue.

addressing the problem

Focuses on taking action to deal with the problem rather than stopping it.

containing the crisis

Substitutes "problem" with "crisis", implying a more urgent and widespread issue.

tackling the issue

Emphasizes a direct and proactive approach to dealing with the issue.

alleviating the issue

Shifts the focus to reducing the severity of the issue, not necessarily stopping it completely.

mitigating the problem

Highlights reducing the negative effects of the problem.

combating the problem

Suggests a more forceful and sustained effort to defeat the problem.

checking the rise

Focuses on preventing an increase or escalation of something negative.

halting the spread

Implies stopping the expansion or dissemination of something undesirable.

reversing the trend

Focuses on changing the direction of a negative development.

FAQs

What does "stemming the problem" mean?

While not standard, "stemming the problem" generally means trying to stop or control a problem from getting worse. It's similar to the more common phrase "stemming the tide".

Is "stemming the problem" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "stemming the problem" is not correct in standard English usage. It's better to use phrases like "addressing the issue" or "mitigating the problem".

What can I say instead of "stemming the problem"?

You can use alternatives such as "addressing the problem", "curbing the issue", or "containing the crisis" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "stemming the problem" or "stemming the tide"?

"Stemming the tide" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "Stemming the problem", while understandable, is not standard English usage. Consider alternatives like "addressing the problem".