unforeseen problem

USAGE SUMMARY

"unforeseen problem" is a correct and usable part of sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a difficulty or issue that was not expected. For example: "The project encountered an unforeseen problem which caused a delay in completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Instead, she awoke from surgery with an unforeseen problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

But then an unforeseen problem emerges: the name of the designer is revealed as Mohammad Khan.

The Guardian - Books

Vann then flew back to Moc Hoa to try to resolve an unforeseen problem in refuelling the helicopters.

The New Yorker

The plant had no safety systems designed to cope with a vessel head failure, also an unforeseen problem.

The New York Times

After several failed attempts at encouraging the use of boats to commute across the East River, city officials have an unforeseen problem: too many ferry riders.

The New York Times

Clients call, often in a panic, needing accountants for something a bit different a merger, or a spin-off, or an unforeseen problem (of which there are lots).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But they also present some unforeseen problems.

The New York Times

So what "unforeseen problems" is Professor Sharkey referring to?

Independent

In some pilot projects, there have been unforeseen problems.

The New York Times - Science

But the war has thrown up unforeseen problems.

The Guardian

Organizers had been dealing with other unforeseen problems as the Games grew near.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "unforeseen problem", ensure the context clearly indicates the problem was genuinely not anticipated, rather than simply overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen problem" as a blanket excuse for failures or delays. Be specific about the nature of the problem to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen problem" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unforeseen" modifies the noun "problem". It typically serves to identify and categorize a specific type of issue as unexpected.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unforeseen problem" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote an unanticipated difficulty or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable part of English, frequently appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the problem truly was unforeseen and to avoid vague or overuse. Alternatives like "unexpected issue" or "surprise setback" can provide variety. Be mindful that "unforeseen problem" highlights an unexpected difficulty, whereas "unintended consequence" is an unexpected result of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected issue

Replaces "problem" with a more general term for a difficulty.

unanticipated difficulty

Substitutes both "unforeseen" and "problem" with synonyms.

unpredicted complication

Uses a more formal synonym for "problem".

surprise setback

Emphasizes the negative impact of the unexpected issue.

unlooked-for hitch

Uses a more informal term for a minor problem.

unheralded obstacle

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the challenge.

emergent challenge

Focuses on the issue arising or appearing unexpectedly.

contingent issue

Emphasizes that the problem is conditional and dependent on circumstances.

chance predicament

Highlights that the predicament is related to chance and circumstance.

sudden snag

Implies a minor and unexpected difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen problem" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen problem" to describe unexpected difficulties. For example, "The project was delayed due to an "unforeseen problem" with the supply chain".

What are some alternatives to "unforeseen problem"?

Alternatives include "unexpected issue", "unanticipated difficulty", or "surprise setback" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "unexpected unforeseen problem"?

Yes, using both "unexpected" and "unforeseen" is redundant. "Unforeseen problem" already implies that the problem was not anticipated.

What's the difference between "unforeseen problem" and "unintended consequence"?

"Unforeseen problem" refers to an unexpected difficulty, while "unintended consequence" refers to an unexpected result of an action or decision, which may or may not be problematic.