Collocation Dictionary

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Common collocations with problem in American Collocation

problem noun countable

US /ˈprɑbləm/

serious

acute
big
fundamental
huge
major
real
serious
severe
significant
urgent

The risk of flooding is a major problem in this area.

main

central
key
main

I think the main problem is that we have too many overpaid players.

not serious

little
minor
slight
small

He had slight problems with some of the hard to pronounce names.

difficult

complex
difficult
intractable

In practice, most problems are too complex for this approach.

common

common
global
widespread

Shrinkage and cracking in concrete flooring is a common problem facing the builder.

possible

possible
potential

A fire-detection system will identify and deal with potential problems at a very early stage.

not obvious

hidden
underlying

There may be an underlying problem that is causing your illness or making it worse.

types of problem

behavioural
debt
economic
emotional
environmental
financial
health
logistical
mechanical
medical
practical
psychological
social
technical
traffic

Any technical problems associated with installing the system should be referred to the technical support unit.

continuing for a long time

chronic
long-term
ongoing

She was suffering from chronic health problems.

happening at the beginning of something

initial
teething

Despite a number of teething problems, the project was a great success.

cause a problem

cause
create
lead to
result in

Water shortages could lead to environmental problems.

solve a problem

combat
correct
cure
fix
get around
get over
overcome
rectify
remedy
resolve
solve
sort out

Violence should never be an accepted way to solve problems.

deal with a problem

address
approach
confront
deal with
handle
respond to
tackle
treat

Over the past few years there have been several attempts to tackle these problems.

try to solve a very difficult problem

grapple with
struggle with
wrestle with

Researchers have been grappling with the problems associated with the collection of accurate data.

make a problem worse

add to
compound
contribute to
exacerbate
increase

Flood alleviation works need to be planned carefully to ensure that they do not exacerbate problems elsewhere.

make a problem less serious

alleviate
ease
help with
minimise
reduce

This lack of investment in physical activity will do little to alleviate the problems of obesity and poor health.

experience a problem

develop
encounter
experience
face
have
run into
suffer (with)

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experience a lot of problems

be beset by
be beset with
be blighted by
be dogged by
be dogged with
be hampered by
be plagued by
be plagued with

The service has been beset by problems and delays.

The estate was badly designed and dogged by problems from the beginning.

The whole production has been beset with problems.

be a problem

be
become
pose
present
remain

International operations, on any scale, can present problems.

avoid or prevent a problem

avoid
eliminate
guard someone/something against
prevent
protect someone/something against

The advantage of headsets over conventional speakers is that they eliminate any problem of feedback.

find out about a problem

come across
detect
diagnose
discover
identify
spot

Any problems were quickly identified.

investigate a problem

investigate
look at
look into

Call our helpline and we will look into the problem for you.

show that a problem exists

alert someone to
highlight
indicate
point to

This disorder doesn’t generally point to psychological problems.

happen

arise
emerge
occur
start

The problem arises when plants and animals are introduced to garden ponds that are from a different area.

exist or be caused by something

exist
lie
stem from

The problem lies not with the public but with governments.

remain

persist
remain

If the problem persists then please contact us.