there is a small problem

USAGE SUMMARY

'there is a small problem' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in a variety of situations. For example, you could write in a business email: "I wanted to inform you that there is a small problem with the document you sent over."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It is stirring stuff, but there is a small problem.

The Economist

There is a small problem with this view.

The New York Times - Science

Panic on the boardwalk Compassionate centrism Reprints Related items Alaska's pipeline problems: The wages of addictionAug 10th 2006Alas, there is a small problem of transmission.

The Economist

He added: "I just wish the critics would be honest and tell people there is a small problem 40 years down the road that can be easily fixed.

The New York Times

In a revealing (and perhaps unconscious) reference to his own methods, he suggested the prime minister should pay more attention to "the police, the special branch and the armed forces, who are closer to the ground".Of course, there is a small problem with this analysis.

The Economist

We have the non-positive Lyapunov operator and boundary condition to weaken the conditions of the previous theorems, but there is a small problem that the boundary condition of Theorem 3.2 is a stochastic domain.

Advances in Difference Equations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Alas, there was a small problem.

The Economist

But there was a small problem.

The New York Times - Tech

Excusing myself as calmly as I could, I scurried over to Mark and whispered that there was a small problem.

The New York Times - Style

Of course, there's a small problem with all this happy Washington math: it doesn't take into account the piles of cash we're likely to lose on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the huge mortgage finance companies.

The New York Times

To Honor and Serve, Mott's best Derby prospect in years, was found to have a strained suspensory ligament in his left foreleg after finishing third in the Florida Derby on April 3. Mott noticed the colt's stride was amiss when he returned to training, and an ultrasound confirmed there was a small problem spot.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there is a small problem" to introduce a minor issue that needs attention without causing alarm. It's suitable for professional communication where clarity and understatement are valued.

Common error

Avoid using "there is a small problem" for significant issues. This can downplay the severity and create mistrust. Choose stronger language if the problem is substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is a small problem" functions as an existential clause introducing a minor issue or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's a common way to gently introduce potentially negative information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there is a small problem" is a grammatically sound and neutrally toned phrase used to introduce a minor issue or difficulty. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While the phrase is deemed uncommon, as evidenced by the provided examples, it effectively serves to inform about a situation needing attention without causing undue alarm. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "there is a minor issue" or "there is a slight difficulty" can be used to convey a similar meaning. Be mindful of not understating the problem's magnitude when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is a minor issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue", implying a slightly less serious concern.

there is a slight difficulty

Substitutes "small problem" with "slight difficulty", emphasizing the challenge aspect.

there is a minor snag

Uses "snag" instead of "problem", suggesting a small and unexpected obstacle.

there is a small hitch

Replaces "problem" with "hitch", indicating a temporary and minor interruption.

there is a slight complication

Substitutes "small problem" with "slight complication", highlighting the complexity aspect.

there is a minor inconvenience

Replaces "problem" with "inconvenience", focusing on the disruption caused.

there's a fly in the ointment

An idiomatic expression meaning there is something spoiling the situation.

there's a wrinkle in the plan

Uses "wrinkle" instead of "problem", suggesting a minor imperfection in a plan.

there's a glitch

Shortened and informal, using "glitch" to indicate a small technical fault.

it presents a minor challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenge it presents, rather than directly stating a problem exists.

FAQs

What does "there is a small problem" mean?

It means that something is not quite right, but the issue is not serious or difficult to resolve. It indicates a minor difficulty or obstacle.

When is it appropriate to use "there is a small problem"?

Use it when addressing a minor issue that needs attention but isn't cause for significant concern. It's suitable for professional, neutral, and informal contexts.

What can I say instead of "there is a small problem"?

You can use alternatives like "there is a minor issue", "there is a slight difficulty", or "there is a minor snag" depending on the context.

How do I emphasize that the problem is truly small when saying "there is a small problem"?

You can add qualifiers like "just", "simply", or "only" before "a small problem", for example, "there is just a small problem" or "there is only a small problem" to further minimize the perceived severity.