survey the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "survey the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of examining or assessing an issue or situation in detail. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, we need to survey the problem to understand its root causes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The first step would be to invite a biologist to your design table, and what we normally do is we go into a company and we survey the problem space, the challenges they have.

The Guardian

In this brief summary account I will survey the problem both from a systematic and from a historical point of view.

SEP

We survey the problem of deciding the stability or stabilizability of uncertain linear systems whose region of uncertainty is a polytope.

Systems & Control Letters

In our survey, the problem was complicated further due to the amount of time that has passed between data collection and the survey on measurements (six years), potentially yielding recall bias.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Writing in The New York Times in 1971 and surveying the problem of intolerance and violence worldwide, Dr. MacLean found that "language barriers among nations present great obstacles".

The New York Times - Science

Secretary Marshall, Acheson, and Will Clayton, who was roving about Europe for the Department on economic missions, all independently reached the conclusion that Europe's economy could be restored only by large-scal aid from the U.S. Acheson, at home, scanning reports and surveying the problem from a distance, is credited in Washintton with having evolved the Marshall plan.

The New Yorker

This paper surveys the problem as exemplified by analysis of catalytic data from the hydrogenolysis of methylcyclopropane and the isotopic exchange between D2 and alkanes on three sets of catalysts, Rh/SiO2 Pd/SiO2 and Pt/SiO2, the members of which varied widely in percentage exposed.

Catalysis Today

The first, set for June, is a statistical survey of the problem.

The New York Times

But this survey of the problem with health care only scratches the surface.

The New Yorker

The Egyptian government, after a survey of the problem, decided to suppress the vice.

The New York Times

The rates could soar even higher, spreading the potentially fatal disease elsewhere, a top W.H.O. official said, releasing findings from the largest global survey of the problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "survey the problem" when you need to systematically and comprehensively assess an issue before proposing solutions. This is especially useful in formal or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "survey the problem" in casual conversations. Opt for more informal alternatives like "look into" or "check out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "survey the problem" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct. It typically introduces the action of examining or assessing a particular issue or challenge. Examples from Ludwig show its use in business, science, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "survey the problem" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a thorough examination of an issue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Although relatively rare, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. It’s suitable for formal or technical discussions and signifies a methodical approach to understanding a situation before proposing solutions. Consider alternatives like "assess the issue" or "examine the challenge" for varied phrasing. Ensure its use aligns with the register of your writing, avoiding it in casual conversations where more informal expressions would be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess the issue

Replaces "survey" with "assess", focusing on evaluating the problem.

evaluate the situation

Substitutes "survey" with "evaluate" and "problem" with "situation", changing the focus to a broader context.

examine the challenge

Replaces "survey" with "examine" and "problem" with "challenge", emphasizing a difficulty to be overcome.

investigate the matter

Uses "investigate" instead of "survey", suggesting a more in-depth inquiry.

analyze the predicament

Replaces "survey" with "analyze" and "problem" with "predicament", highlighting a difficult or dangerous situation.

review the difficulty

Substitutes "survey" with "review" and "problem" with "difficulty", suggesting a formal assessment.

study the obstacle

Replaces "survey" with "study" and "problem" with "obstacle", focusing on something blocking progress.

scrutinize the complexity

Uses "scrutinize" to emphasize a detailed and critical examination of a complex issue.

explore the circumstances

Replaces "survey" with "explore" and "problem" with "circumstances", focusing on understanding the surrounding factors.

look into the dilemma

Substitutes "survey" with "look into" and "problem" with "dilemma", highlighting a situation with difficult choices.

FAQs

How can I use "survey the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "survey the problem" to describe a thorough examination of an issue, such as, "Before implementing the new policy, we need to "survey the problem" to understand its scope."

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

You can use alternatives like "assess the issue", "evaluate the situation", or "examine the challenge" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "survey the problem"?

"Survey the problem" is appropriate in formal settings, technical reports, or when conducting a systematic analysis. It suggests a comprehensive approach to understanding an issue.

Is "survey the problem" the same as "solve the problem"?

No, ""survey the problem"" means to examine and understand an issue, while "solve the problem" means to find a solution to it. Surveying is a preliminary step to solving.