there have been problems with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there have been problems with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that issues or difficulties have occurred regarding a specific subject or situation. Example: "There have been problems with the software update, causing delays in our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

She said yes. "Ever since he has returned there have been problems with Carlos's behavior and mood swings," she told them, according to the police report.

The New York Times

Mr. Cocola acknowledged that in the last five years there have been problems with snow clearing, but said, "We are responsible for the removal, that responsibility has been called to our attention, and we will make a concerted effort to take care of the situation from now on".

The New York Times

There have been problems with the technology.

The New York Times

There have been problems with facilitators in other states, too.

The New York Times

In Bilbao, Spain, there have been problems with a bridge and an airport.

The New York Times - Arts

So of course it's disappointing that there have been problems with its implementation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Much later I found there had been problems with the pressure system on that aircraft before.

The Guardian

He confirmed that there had been problems with damp, leaks, overcrowding and infestation of insects.

The Guardian

They also said there had been problems with translations, and with finding a satisfactory lawyer for Mr. Bennett.

The New York Times

He said that there had been problems with the original Foldscope when he had used it to screen for schistosomiasis in Ghana, in 2014.

The New Yorker

Mayor Patricia Reilly acknowledged that there had been problems with the parking lot and that construction should have been started after the Christmas holiday season, not before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there have been problems with", be specific about the nature of the problems and their impact. This provides clarity and helps in identifying solutions.

Common error

Avoid using "there have been problems with" as a vague statement. Instead, specify who is experiencing the problems or what is causing them to provide a more direct and informative statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there have been problems with" serves as an existential construction that introduces the existence of issues related to a specific subject. It generally functions to set the stage for further explanation or discussion of the problems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there have been problems with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to acknowledge the existence of issues or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. It is most prevalent in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating its suitability for formal and neutral communication. When using this phrase, it's best practice to be specific about the problems to provide clarity. Related alternatives include phrases like "issues have arisen with" or "difficulties have occurred with", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality. Avoiding passive voice and providing context are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issues have arisen with

Replaces 'problems' with 'issues' and 'been' with 'arisen', slightly altering the verb tense and vocabulary.

difficulties have occurred with

Substitutes 'problems' with 'difficulties' and 'been' with 'occurred', providing a more formal tone.

challenges have emerged regarding

Uses 'challenges' instead of 'problems' and 'regarding' in place of 'with', resulting in a more proactive and solution-oriented nuance.

there have been complications in

Replaces 'problems' with 'complications' and 'with' with 'in', indicating a more complex or intricate issue.

snags have developed with

Uses the more informal term 'snags' instead of 'problems', suggesting minor or unexpected difficulties.

setbacks have materialized concerning

Employs 'setbacks' to convey delays or hindrances, changing 'with' to 'concerning' for a formal touch.

hitches have surfaced within

Utilizes 'hitches' in place of 'problems', indicating temporary or unexpected interruptions, and changes 'with' to 'within'.

glitches have arisen in connection with

Replaces 'problems' with 'glitches' for a more technical or minor issue, using 'in connection with' instead of 'with'.

imperfections have appeared in

Substitutes 'problems' with 'imperfections', indicating flaws or shortcomings, and changes 'with' to 'in'.

malfunctions have been detected in

Uses 'malfunctions' to signify operational failures, changing 'problems' to 'malfunctions' and 'with' to 'in'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "there have been problems with" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases such as "issues have arisen with" or "difficulties have occurred with" for a more formal tone.

What's a more casual way to say "there have been problems with"?

You could use phrases like "snags have developed with" or simply state "something went wrong with" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of saying "there have been problems with"?

Yes, being specific is often better. Instead of "there have been problems with the system", try "the system experienced a data breach" or "users reported slow loading times".

When should I use "there have been problems with"?

Use "there have been problems with" when you want to acknowledge that issues exist without necessarily assigning blame or going into excessive detail. It's a good starting point for further discussion or investigation.