the nub of the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the nub of the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the essential or most important part of an issue or problem. Example: "After discussing various factors, we finally identified the nub of the problem: a lack of communication between departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

That is the nub of the problem.

Independent

The nub of the problem is straightforward.

Independent

And that's the nub of the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is the nub of the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's the nub of the problem".

The New York Times

There is the nub of the problem.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

But here is the nub of the trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that's where we come to the nub of the "Greenfield problem".

The Guardian

According to Chris Sharpe, a British conservation biologist who has been living in Venezuela for 20 years, that's the nub of the current problem: "The Chavez government doesn't recognise conservation as being legitimate land use".

The Guardian - Travel

The nub of the "tunnel problem", first discussed by the American philosopher Jason Millar, is whether the government, the car manufacturer or the car owner should be responsible for that moral coding.

The Times

And yet, Mr. Gladwell gets to the nub of the image problem confronting the industry in the blink of a sentence (pun intended): "The mythology of the business is that the specialists who swoop in from Wall Street are not economic opportunists, buying, stripping and selling companies in order to extract millions in fees, but architects of rebirth".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the nub of the problem", ensure the context provides enough information for the audience to understand the identified core issue.

Common error

Avoid using "the nub of the problem" without providing sufficient context, as this can leave your audience confused about the actual central issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the nub of the problem" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, identifying the central and most critical aspect of an issue. Examples in Ludwig show its role in pinpointing the core of complex situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the nub of the problem" is a versatile and commonly used noun phrase that serves to highlight the core or most critical aspect of an issue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "the crux of the matter" or "the heart of the matter". When employing this phrase, ensure sufficient context is provided for clear understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the crux of the matter

Replaces "nub" with "crux", emphasizing the decisive point.

the heart of the matter

Uses "heart" instead of "nub", focusing on the emotional core.

the core issue

Simplifies the phrase to highlight the fundamental problem.

the central point

Emphasizes the main focus or argument of the problem.

the key question

Frames the problem as a primary question that needs answering.

the fundamental challenge

Highlights the basic difficulty or obstacle.

the underlying cause

Focuses on the root cause contributing to the problem.

the essence of the difficulty

Replaces "nub" with "essence", suggesting the inherent nature of the problem.

the root of the trouble

Uses "root" to convey the origin of the difficulty.

the basis of the complication

Highlights the foundational aspect of the complication.

FAQs

How can I use "the nub of the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "the nub of the problem" to pinpoint the core issue in a discussion. For instance, "After analyzing the data, the nub of the problem is clear: insufficient funding".

What phrases are similar to "the nub of the problem"?

Alternatives include "the crux of the matter", "the heart of the matter", or "the core issue", all of which emphasize the central point.

Is "the nub of the problem" suitable for formal writing?

"The nub of the problem" is appropriate for various contexts, including formal writing, as it clearly identifies the central issue without being overly colloquial.

What is the difference between "the nub of the problem" and "the symptoms of the problem"?

"The nub of the problem" refers to the root cause, while "the symptoms of the problem" are the visible effects. Addressing the nub solves the core issue, whereas addressing symptoms only provides temporary relief.