this poses a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this poses a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an issue or challenge that arises from a particular situation or decision. Example: "The new policy is well-intentioned, but this poses a problem for our current workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This poses a problem for digitization.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This poses a problem in taking his measure.

The New Yorker

This poses a problem for delineating watersheds for analysis.

Journal of Arid Environments

However, this poses a problem in patients insensitive to heparin.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

For a medical system that could count on a flow of organs, this poses a problem.

The Economist

This poses a problem for the big beverage companies selling branded waters.

The New York Times

This poses a problem for home theater buffs without much space to spare.

The New York Times - Tech

This poses a problem for anyone investigating miscarriages of justice, he says.

The Guardian

But this poses a problem for Jono Alderson, who runs Days of the Year.

The New York Times - Tech

This poses a problem for the implementation of multi-particle potentials (e.g., "bending" and "torsion").

Journal of Computational Physics

This poses a problem for the FA, whose financial future is wedded to that of the England team.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this poses a problem" to clearly and directly identify a challenge or obstacle that arises from a specific situation. Ensure the context makes the 'this' referent unambiguous.

Common error

While effective, avoid overusing "this poses a problem". Vary your language with alternatives like "this presents a challenge" or "this raises an issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this poses a problem" functions as a statement identifying a difficulty or obstacle arising from a specific situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, serving to introduce a potential challenge that requires attention or resolution. The examples show its adaptability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

40%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this poses a problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for identifying a challenge or obstacle. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is versatile enough for various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While its meaning is straightforward, varying your phrasing with alternatives like "this presents a challenge" or "this raises an issue" can prevent redundancy. Remember to ensure the "this" is unambiguous and reflects the situation's gravity. Considering its widespread use and clear function, "this poses a problem" remains a valuable tool for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this presents a challenge

Changes "poses a problem" to "presents a challenge", softening the negative connotation.

this creates a difficulty

Replaces "poses a problem" with "creates a difficulty", focusing on the creation of an obstacle.

this raises an issue

Substitutes "poses a problem" with "raises an issue", highlighting the emergence of a concern.

this gives rise to complications

Alters the phrasing to "gives rise to complications", emphasizing the potential for complex difficulties.

this engenders a setback

Replaces the original phrase with "engenders a setback", suggesting a hindrance or delay.

this constitutes an obstacle

Modifies the wording to "constitutes an obstacle", highlighting the obstructive nature of the situation.

this presents an impediment

Changes to "presents an impediment", focusing on something that hinders progress.

this introduces a hurdle

Rephrases as "introduces a hurdle", suggesting a challenge that needs to be overcome.

this complicates matters

Simplifies the expression to "complicates matters", indicating an increase in complexity.

this is cause for concern

Shifts the focus to "cause for concern", emphasizing the reason for worry.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this poses a problem" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "this presents a challenge", "this creates a difficulty", or "this gives rise to complications".

What are some alternatives to "this poses a problem" that are less negative?

To soften the negative connotation, you might use phrases such as "this raises an issue", "this introduces a hurdle", or "this complicates matters".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "this poses a problem"?

The phrase "this poses a problem" is generally correct. However, ensure that the "this" clearly refers to something previously mentioned and that "problem" accurately reflects the situation's severity. Overusing the phrase or using it when a weaker term would suffice can diminish its impact.

What is the difference between "this poses a problem" and "this presents a challenge"?

"This poses a problem" indicates a difficulty or obstacle that needs to be addressed. "This presents a challenge" implies a similar difficulty but often suggests an opportunity for growth or innovation in overcoming it. The latter can be perceived as more optimistic.