PROBLEM - SOLUTION COLLOCATIONS

source:  Longman on-line

Problem
have a problem big/serious/major problem

cause a problem

deal with/sort out a problem

solve/fix/overcome a problem

address/tackle a problem

pose/present a problem

a problem arises/occurs/comes up (=it happens)

economic/financial problems

 

 

Issue

subject/problem [countable] a subject or problem that is often discussed or argued about, especially a social or political matter that affects the interests of a lot of people
the issue of something

raise an issue (=say that an issue should be discussed)

address an issue (=discuss or deal with an issue)

resolve an issue

avoid/dodge/duck/evade an issue (=avoid discussing an issue)

confuse/cloud an issue (=make an issue more difficult by talking about things not related to it) important/key/major/big issue

thorny/vexed issue (=difficult issue)

complex issue

sensitive issue

political/social/economic/environmental issues

something is not the issue spoken (=used to say that something is not the important part of what you are discussing)

 

Abortion is a highly controversial issue.

We should raise the issue of discrimination with the council.

Dillon addressed the issue of child abuse in his speech.

How the issue is resolved is crucial.

When asked about the bill, the senator tried to duck the issue.

They're clouding the issue with uninformed judgements.

The key issue is whether workers should be classified as 'employees'.

the thorny issue of creating a single European currency

Economic issues should get more attention.

Unemployment is not the issue - the real problem is the decline in public morality.

 

Crisis

economic/financial/political crisis

deal with/handle a crisis

energy/oil/housing crisis

debt/budget crisis

a crisis erupts/arises

a major/severe crisis

resolve/solve/defuse a crisis

avert a crisis in/during

a crisis be in crisis

crisis management (=dealing with a crisis)

 

 

Threat

The fighting is a major threat to stability in the region.

present/pose a threat (to somebody/something)

Pollution poses a threat to fish.

 

Concern  (worry) [uncountable] a feeling of worry about something important:

The recent rise in crime is a matter of considerable public concern.

concern for

our concern for human rights

concern about/over/with

the rise of concern about the environment

the growing concern over inflation

concern with worsening law and order

concern that

increased concern that the war could continue for a long time

be a cause for concern/cause concern