the problem of which

USAGE SUMMARY

"the problem of which" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in formal or academic writing to introduce a specific issue or dilemma that is being discussed. Example: The problem of which approach to take in addressing climate change has been a topic of heated debate among politicians and scientists for decades.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The problem of which path to take seems to confuse even the most stalwart socialites.

The New York Times - Style

The problem of which it is a symptom, he says, is more fundamental than that.

Independent

We model the problem of which robots to move as a distributed constraint optimization problem (DCOP).

Ad Hoc Networks

The problem of which values to use at these boundaries cannot be ignored if perfect reconstruction is required.

Signal Processing

This paper initiates a study of the problem of which binormal operators on a Hilbert space are reflexive.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Successful inventory management, which involves the solution of the problem of which items to carry in inventory in various locations, is critical to a company's competitive success.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Once secure dry land, once he got into power, Pell apparently looked around and decided to clean up the problems of which he had previously been unaware.

The Guardian - Opinion

An assembler [e.g. Cufflinks (Trapnell et al., 2010) and Scripture (Guttman et al., 2010)] addresses the problems of which transcripts are present and estimating their abundances.

Bioinformatics

There are many different ways to approach this problem, of which the simplest and most widely used is partitioning.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

As is the case with many bands, Deep Purple included many musicians over the years, which presents the problem of deciding which members are to be honored.

Huffington Post

The break coincided with the problem of sex, which, anyway, could no longer be ignored.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the problem of which" in formal writing when you need to clearly indicate a connection between a specific issue and a broader context previously mentioned. This can enhance the logical flow of your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "the problem of which" in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "the problem that" or rephrasing the sentence can make your writing more accessible and natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "the problem of which" is to serve as a prepositional phrase. It introduces a relative clause, connecting a specific problem to a broader context or antecedent mentioned earlier. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the problem of which" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase best suited for formal writing to clearly link a specific issue to a previously discussed context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct phrase, although it might sound overly formal in casual settings. When using it, consider simpler alternatives like "the problem that" for broader accessibility. While its usage is uncommon, when employed correctly, it adds precision to your writing. Frequent sources where one might encounter this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and Encyclopedia Britannica.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the challenge regarding which

Replaces 'problem' with 'challenge' and 'of which' with 'regarding which', altering the tone slightly to emphasize difficulty.

the dilemma concerning which

Substitutes 'problem' with 'dilemma', highlighting a situation with difficult choices.

the issue in relation to which

Uses 'issue' instead of 'problem' and 'in relation to which' to specify a connection, adding a layer of formal precision.

the question as to which

Replaces 'problem' with 'question', focusing on inquiry and uncertainty rather than difficulty.

the matter about which

Uses 'matter' instead of 'problem', indicating a subject of discussion or concern.

the complexity surrounding which

Emphasizes the intricacy and complicated nature of the issue.

the difficulty pertaining to which

Highlights the aspect of hardship or trouble involved.

the predicament regarding which

Replaces 'problem' with 'predicament', suggesting a difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous situation.

the concern with respect to which

Uses 'concern' instead of 'problem', focusing on worry or anxiety related to a topic.

the snag concerning which

Replaces 'problem' with 'snag', indicating a minor difficulty or obstacle.

FAQs

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

Use "the problem of which" to connect a specific issue to a broader context or problem previously discussed. For example: "Climate change is a global issue, and "the problem of which" affects us all."

What's a simpler way to phrase "the problem of which"?

Alternatives include "the problem that", "the issue that", or simply rephrasing the sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "the problem of which I spoke", you could say "the problem I mentioned".

Is it appropriate to use "the problem of which" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "the problem of which" is quite formal and might sound stilted in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrasing in those contexts.

What is the difference between "the problem of which" and "the problem that"?

"The problem of which" is more formal and implies a closer, more integral relationship between the problem and the preceding context, whereas "the problem that" is more general and widely applicable.