Problem

have problem

We’ve been having a few problems with our air conditioning recently.

fleeing from problem

Asylum seekers may be fleeing from problems at home, but they often meet very serious problems when they finally settle somewhere else.

solve problem

No one has solved the problem of what to do with radioactive waste.

tackle problem

We simply can’t afford to avoid the problem of teenage pregnancy. I think that we need to tackle it head on.

appreciate problem

I fully appreciate your problem, but I’m afraid there is little I can do to help you.

ignore problem

Are you seriously suggesting that we should just ignore the problem? Just turn a blind eye to it?

wrestle with problem

The professor wrestled with the problem for weeks, but he finally had to admit defeat.

pose problem

I’m glad Dave and Gill and the kids are coming to stay, but it poses the problem of where they are all going to sleep!

grow problem

Smoking seems a growing problem among teenage girls, in particular. Every year more and more are getting hooked.

serious problem

I’m afraid this is a very serious problem which requires prompt attention.

basic problem

There are a number of reasons why Geoff is not suitable for the job, but the basic problem is that he is famous for rubbing people up the wrong way!

press problem

One of the most pressing problems facing cities today is traffic congestion.

insurmountable problem

I believe that traffic congestion in large cities is an insurmountable problem. I can see no way round it. And it’s only going to get worse and worse.

complicate problem

I wish there was a simple answer to this issue, but it’s a very complicate problem, and it will require a complex solution.

root problem

We must get to the root of this problem. We need to discover the cause of it before too much damage is done.

answer problem

There isn’t a straight answer to the problem because it just isn’t that simple.

approach problem

We aren’t getting anywhere. I feel we need to take a fresh approach to the problem.

extent problem

The full extent of the problem became clear when the pilots realized that the plane was almost out of fuel.

view problem

We need to take an overall view of the problem. We need to consider all parts of it.

nature / extent problem

If you think that our profitability will improve simply by making staff cuts, then you misunderstand the nature/extent of the problem.

 

Notes

• In ‘I’m glad Dave and Gill and the kids are coming to stay, but it poses the problem of where they are all going to sleep!’, ‘create’ is also possible.

In ‘We must get to the root of this problem. We need to discover the cause of it before too much damage is done.’, ‘bottom’ is also possible.

• Note these expressions:

This problem won’t just disappear overnight.

• If you think someone is going to disagree, you can ask: Do you have a problem with this?
• Note the prepositions with ‘problem’:

The government is looking for new ways to deal with the problem of homelessness.

Unemployment is a serious problem for a lot of young people in this area.

• Note that we use the expression ‘No problem’ to mean something is OK:

Can you look after the shop for an hour or so?

> No problem!

• A ‘thorny problem’ is a difficult problem to which there is no obvious and easy solution.
• Note these kinds of problems personal problems / health problems / a drink problems / a weight problem / an attitude problem.
• A ‘problem child’ or family is one which causes problems for other people.
• Note the useful expression: ‘the only problem is’:

The only problem with this car is it’s incredibly expensive!