this causes a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

'this causes a problem' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when something is causing an issue or difficulty. For example, "The company's lack of resources this year has caused a problem with fulfilling orders on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But this causes a problem.

The Economist

"The complexity of that is off the scale". This causes a problem for humanitarian organizations whose standard method has been to go to the top commanders of a military or militia group, advise them on international humanitarian law and rely on the chain of command to enforce the rules throughout the ranks.

The New York Times - Magazine

This causes a problem through thermal expansion during the cure process.

Applied Adhesion Science

This causes a problem for the Cloud customers as there is no clear comparison between VMs.

Journal of Cloud Computing

"This causes a problem when it rains, as the system is not designed to handle the excess flow - at these times the system overflows into the nearest waterway.

BBC

This causes a problem in environmental SDA, where the impact of changes in the industrial structure matrix on GHG emissions is of necessity included by way of changes in backward and forward linkages.

Journal of Economic Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Did this cause a problem for the rebels?

The Guardian

For reasons the company cannot explain, none of this caused a problem until the e-mail started flying last month.

The New York Times

This caused a problem for some people who are allergic to these additives, which are made from beef, poultry, eggs and plants that contain protein.

The New York Times

This caused a problem since random sampling of the collected tweets most likely would result in almost only those belonging to the class other.

Security Informatics

This caused a problem in determining the true independent influence of Wells score and D-dimer on diagnostic yield of CTPA.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this causes a problem", clearly identify what 'this' refers to, ensuring the connection between cause and effect is explicit for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "this causes a problem" without clearly defining what 'this' refers to. Ambiguity can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Be specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this causes a problem" functions as a causal connector, linking a preceding situation or action to a resulting difficulty. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase for expressing cause and effect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this causes a problem" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a specific action or situation results in a difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable way to show a cause-and-effect relationship. While it fits well in neutral contexts like news and general discussions, more formal settings, such as academic writing, might benefit from alternative phrasing like "this presents an obstacle" or "this leads to difficulties". It's crucial to ensure clarity by explicitly defining what "this" refers to, avoiding vagueness. Common mistakes involve using the phrase without a clear antecedent, which can lead to confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this creates an issue

Substitutes 'problem' with 'issue', which can be a milder term.

this leads to difficulties

Uses 'difficulties' instead of 'problem', adding a slightly stronger connotation.

this results in complications

Employs more formal vocabulary, replacing 'problem' with 'complications'.

this is problematic

More direct, adjective-based way of expressing that something is causing issues.

this gives rise to a challenge

Replaces 'problem' with 'challenge', framing the situation as something to overcome.

this presents an obstacle

Frames the problem as something hindering progress.

this poses a dilemma

Indicates a situation with difficult choices, a specific type of problem.

this engenders a setback

A more formal and slightly stronger way of indicating a negative consequence.

this precipitates a crisis

Suggests a more severe and urgent problem.

this is a recipe for trouble

An idiomatic expression suggesting that the current situation is likely to lead to problems.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "this causes a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "this creates an issue", "this leads to difficulties", or "this results in complications" depending on the context.

Is "this causes a problem" too informal for academic writing?

While "this causes a problem" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "this presents an obstacle" or "this engenders a setback" might be preferred in academic contexts.

How can I make the phrase "this causes a problem" more specific?

Instead of just saying "this causes a problem", specify the type of problem. For example, "This causes a logistical problem" or "This causes a financial problem".

What's the difference between "this causes a problem" and "this is a problem"?

"This causes a problem" indicates a causal relationship, meaning something is actively leading to an issue. "This is a problem" simply states that something is already an issue, without necessarily implying a cause.