Useful phrases on problem-solutions essays

Problem vocabulary

What words do you need?

This will depend on your target band score but you will need variety in these areas

nouns: variations of the word problem

adjectives: how to describe problems

verbs: what to do with problems

Phrases and collocations

You’ll also need to be able to use these words accurately in word combinations (collocations) such as

face a problem

address a problem

How big is the problem?
 Some adjectives

It is always useful to describe the scale of the problem. Not all problems are equal. Here are some key adjectives to help you

significant: A significant problem that many countries face today is falling birth rates

fundamental: Unemployment is not a minor issue, rather it is a fundamental problem that the government needs to resolve.

real: A very real difficulty in many households is rising fuel bills.

minor: In my view, global warning is only a minor problem.

pressing: This is a pressing problem that needs to be dealt with urgently.

serious: Of course, climate change is a serious issue that must be addressed immediately.

complex: The level of divorce is a complex issue and there is no easy solution to it.

What do problems do ?

 Some verbs

pose: The number of  cars on the road poses a serious problem with regard to pollution.

create: While the use of IT in education has brought many benefits, it has also created a new set of problems.

face: How to combine work with having children is a problem facing many women

What can be done?

 Some more verbs

Another set of language you need is what can be done about problems. For this you need some verbs:

address Of course, global warming is a serious issue that needs to be addressed

deal with The government need to deal with the problem of carbon emissions as a matter of urgency

tackle The nuclear industry needs to tackle the issue of long-term safety in their plants

experience Many students who go to student abroad experience difficulties in adapting to their new learning environment

resolve/find a solution to The first step must be to find a solution to the problem of overcrowding in our cities

respond to It is imperative that employers respond to the problems facing young graduates who are looking for work

What about solutions?

Of course a closely related group of words relates to solutions to problems. Here are some ideas for you:

offer/provide a solution to: New forms of renewable energy may offer a solution to this issue of our dependence on fossil fuels.

(find an) answer: One answer to the rise in youth crime is to improve social education in schools

remedy the situation; It is very important that the government tries to remedy this situation as a matter of urgency

Try some idioms too

You can use idioms when you write.

the root of the problem – this is where the problem starts

be a headache for – this is a minor but nagging problem

be unhealthy – if something is unhealthy, it is sick and a problem. You can use this idiom

a remedy for – a remedy is a cure for an illness, it can also be used more generally as a solution to a problem

to recover – you recover from an illness and the economy is also said to recover. Don’t use this idiom more generally

the heart of society – if something is at the heart of something it is vital. Use this as a set phrase – don’t try and vary it