this presents a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this presents 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 context. Example: "The unexpected delay in delivery is concerning; this presents a problem for our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This presents a problem.

The New York Times - Tech

This presents a problem for Cameron.

The Guardian

Clearly, this presents a problem for Sky News.

The Guardian

For big, slow-moving corporations, this presents a problem.

The New York Times

This presents a problem for global food security.

The Washington Post

Establishing cause and effect in these matters is never simple, and this presents a problem.

The New York Times - Books

This presents a problem in many areas, including language (see "AI's Language Problem").

MIT Technology Review

This presents a problem for the US central bank and that is what worries investors.

The Guardian - Business

This presents a problem: the waterfall methodology is often not flexible enough to be applied to academic research.

Nature

If this presents a problem, a sensible choice of a range of allowable roll angles might ameliorate the situation.

Harvard University

This presents a problem, since it is a rule of life that undergraduates don't put pictures of bald, funny-looking guys up in their dorm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this presents a problem", ensure that the 'this' clearly refers to a specific situation or context that has been previously mentioned to avoid ambiguity. If there are any doubts from readers, rephrase for the sake of clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "this presents a problem" without clearly establishing what "this" refers to. A vague reference can confuse the reader and weaken your argument. Instead, be explicit: "The lack of funding presents a problem for the project's completion."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this presents a problem" functions as a statement identifying an issue or difficulty arising from a specific situation. It serves to highlight a challenge that needs attention or resolution, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this presents a problem" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for identifying challenges across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for both formal and informal writing. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that "this" has a clear reference to maintain clarity. Alternative phrasing like "this poses a challenge" or "this creates an issue" can offer variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: a difficulty has arisen and requires attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this poses a challenge

Replaces "problem" with "challenge", emphasizing the difficulty aspect.

this is problematic

A more direct and concise way of stating that something is causing difficulties.

this creates an issue

Substitutes "presents a problem" with "creates an issue", focusing on the creation of a difficulty.

this poses an obstacle

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the situation.

this complicates matters

Highlights the added complexity resulting from the situation.

this gives rise to a difficulty

More formal and emphasizes the origin of the difficulty.

this constitutes a hurdle

Emphasizes the need to overcome a specific difficulty.

this entails a complication

Highlights the complexity introduced by the situation.

this raises concerns

Focuses on the worrying aspect of the situation.

this engenders a setback

Highlights a reversal or delay caused by the situation.

FAQs

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

To sound more formal, you can use phrases like "this poses a challenge", "this gives rise to a difficulty", or "this entails a complication".

What are some alternatives to "this presents a problem" in informal writing?

In informal writing, consider using phrases like "this is problematic", "this creates an issue", or "this complicates matters".

Is "this presents a problem" the same as "this is a problem"?

While similar, "this presents a problem" emphasizes that a specific situation is causing or introducing the problem. "This is a problem" is a more general statement about something being problematic.

How do I make sure my use of "this presents a problem" is clear?

Ensure that "this" has a clear and immediate antecedent. If the context is not immediately obvious, rephrase the sentence to explicitly state what "this" refers to for better clarity.