core problem

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   The most important or central difficulty in a situation, which must be dealt with first.

   Grammar: Countable; you can say a core problem or the core problem.

   Patterns

   • the core problem with something
   • the core problem is that …
   • address the core problem

   The core problem with the plan is that it costs too much.

   We need to identify the core problem before we try to fix anything.

   Poor communication is the core problem in many teams.

2. 2nouncountable

   The main issue that a book, discussion, or study is about.

   Grammar: Used to talk about the central topic of a text or debate.

   Patterns

   • the core problem of something
   • discuss the core problem

   The report examines the core problem of climate change.

   Her lecture focused on the core problem of inequality.

Word forms

Common combinations

the core problem with

The core problem with the software is its speed.

address the core problem

The new policy aims to address the core problem.

identify the core problem

First, identify the core problem.

the core problem is that

The core problem is that we lack data.

Synonyms and how they differ

main issue

Similar meaning, but main issue is more general and less emphatic than core problem.

root cause

Focuses on the original cause of a problem, while core problem is the central difficulty itself.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “core problem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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