defining the problem

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The first stage of solving something, in which you state clearly and exactly what the difficulty or question is.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: it can be the subject, or follow a preposition such as in or before.

   Patterns

   • defining the problem is …
   • a key part of defining the problem
   • before defining the problem

   Defining the problem clearly is often harder than finding a solution.

   The team spent the first meeting defining the problem rather than suggesting answers.

   Good reports begin by defining the problem in one or two sentences.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseformal

   The act of saying precisely what you mean by a word, term, or idea that is central to an argument.

   Grammar: Often followed by of: defining the problem of poverty.

   Patterns

   • defining the problem of something
   • the difficulty of defining the problem

   Her essay is really about defining the problem of fairness in taxation.

   Philosophers have spent centuries defining the problem of free will.

Common combinations

a way of defining the problem

Focus groups are one way of defining the problem from the customer's point of view.

begin by defining the problem

A good essay will begin by defining the problem it sets out to answer.

clearly define the problem

If you cannot clearly define the problem, you cannot measure whether it has been solved.

spend time defining the problem

Engineers often spend more time defining the problem than building the solution.

defining the problem statement

The consultant wrote a short defining the problem statement for the client.

Synonyms and how they differ

framing the problem

Focuses on the angle or viewpoint you choose, rather than on stating exactly what the difficulty is.

identifying the problem

Suggests noticing or discovering that something is wrong; defining goes further and says precisely what it is.

problem definition

The noun form of the same idea, used when you want a thing rather than an action.

Opposites

Word family

define verb

To state the exact meaning of something, or to describe it clearly.

definition noun

A statement that explains the exact meaning of a word or idea.

problem noun

A difficulty or question that needs to be dealt with.

problem-solving noun

The activity of finding answers to difficulties, usually in stages.

Commonly confused: defining the problem or definition of the problem?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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