there seems to be a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "there seems to be a problem" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use this sentence to raise an issue when you feel that there is a potential problem. For example, "The deadline is approaching and there seems to be a problem with the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"It tries talking to you," he continues, "and then it will send a signal to the hub saying there seems to be a problem.

The Guardian - Tech

Unfortunately in the UK there seems to be a problem: either I am rubbish at finding these companies, the start-ups are great at hiding or there are just not that many out there.

TechCrunch

For instance, the "transglutaminase gene" is better given as "transglutaminase gene1" and "Ichyn" is "Ichthyin" etc. Ref.13 is not cited in the text and there seems to be a problem with enumeration of the references in the text.

F1000Research

Back in the hut, there seems to be a problem with cellphone reception.

The Guardian - Sport

There seems to be a problem below Because that's where they dug it.

The New Yorker

As in many Sleater-Kinney songs, which typically avoid storytelling, there seems to be a problem being solved, and here it is, evidently, the spectre of exceptionalism, of being that band that's really great — for a bunch of girls.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But there seemed to be a problem with every prospect.

The New York Times

But there also seems to be a problem with ensuring people die where they want to.

BBC

And this seems to be a problem.

SEP

But there seems to be a casting problem.

The New Yorker

There seems to be a formatting problem on the Y axis.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there seems to be a problem", follow up with a specific description of the issue to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "there seems to be a problem" without providing any further details. Instead, be specific about the nature of the issue to facilitate a more effective resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there seems to be a problem" functions as an introductory expression used to signal the potential existence of an issue or difficulty. As Ludwig AI tells us, this phrase is commonly used in written English to raise an issue when you suspect there may be a problem. Examples from Ludwig confirm its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there seems to be a problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a potential issue or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, you can use this sentence to raise an issue when you feel that there is a potential problem. It's versatile, fitting well in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. For best practice, follow up with specific details about the issue to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "there appears to be an issue" and "it looks like there's a problem". Overall, "there seems to be a problem" is a reliable way to signal potential issues, prompting further attention or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there appears to be an issue

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "problem" with "issue", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it would appear there is a problem

Adds a degree of formality with "it would appear".

there may be an issue

Substitutes "seems to be" with "may be", indicating a lower degree of certainty.

it looks like there's a problem

Uses a more informal expression "it looks like" instead of "there seems to be".

there could be a complication

Replaces "problem" with "complication", suggesting a more intricate issue.

a problem seems to exist

Reorders the sentence structure while retaining the core meaning.

we might have a problem

Shifts the perspective to a first-person plural, suggesting a shared concern.

something doesn't seem right

Uses a more general expression to indicate a potential problem.

a difficulty has arisen

Employs "difficulty" instead of "problem" and "has arisen" to indicate the problem's emergence.

an issue is suspected

Uses a passive voice to convey the presence of a problem.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "there seems to be a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "there appears to be an issue", "it looks like there's a problem", or "something doesn't seem right" depending on the context.

Is "there seems to be a problem" formal or informal?

The phrase "there seems to be a problem" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal settings without sounding out of place.

How do I use "there seems to be a problem" effectively in a sentence?

To use "there seems to be a problem" effectively, follow it with a clear and concise explanation of the issue. For example, "There seems to be a problem with the internet connection; I can't access any websites."

What's the difference between "there seems to be a problem" and "there is a problem"?

"There seems to be a problem" indicates a degree of uncertainty or observation, while "there is a problem" states the existence of a problem as a fact. The former is less assertive.