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English in a Minute Series 4

Intermediate level

Verbs to use with 'problem'

Episode 240813 / 13 Aug 2024

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Introduction

A problem is something bad, and we all have them. There are some words that we often use together, like 'have' and 'problem' – these are called collocations. Learn verbs that we use to say you have problems, and that things cause problems, with Phil.

Common collocations with 'problem'

have a problem
If a problem affects you, you have a problem.

  • We have a problem - the car won't start. We'll never get to the airport in time.

face a problem
If you face a problem, it means that you have a problem, but it's more dramatic.

  • If you are facing problems at work, like a heavy workload or a manager who doesn't understand you, you should talk to someone. 

encounter a problem
If you encounter a problem doing something, it means you have or find a problem while doing it.

  • We've encountered many problems trying to get this project to work. We didn't have the right people involved, and we hadn't planned it properly.

be beset with problems
If you are beset with problems, you have a lot of them.

  • The team have been beset with injury problems since the start of the season. They haven't been able to select their best players for months.

be dogged by problems
If you are dogged by problems, you are affected by persistent problems.

  • The company has been dogged by financial problems for the last few years. They lost a big contract, and got hit by the rise in inflation.

cause a problem
If something causes a problem, it makes the problem happen.

  • Climate change is causing problems in many cities. The increase in rainfall is leading to more flooding.

bring a problem
If something brings problems, it leads to problems.

  • Being continually late for work will bring you many problems. You'll get behind on your work, and people won't want to help you.

pose a problem
If something poses a problem, it causes a problem.

  • The server being down poses a difficult problem for us. No-one can visit our site, and our internal systems aren't working.

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TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Phil
We all haveproblems - but are there any different ways to say that we have them? We can face or encounterproblems - that just means that we have them, but it's a bit more dramatic.

The company has faced many problems this year.
I encountered many problems at university.

Now, if we're having lots of them, and they just won't go away, we can bebeset with problems, or dogged by problems.

This project has beenbeset with problems since the start.
The trip has beendogged by technical problems.

If something causesproblems, then it brings, or poses them.

Studying too much brings its own problems. You need a balance.
This new way of working isposing some problems.

Many things can bring or poseproblems. We face them, encounter them, and can even be beset with, or dogged by them.

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