You've probably seen it, or maybe even used it yourself: "The problem is..." followed by a statement that feels just a little bit off. It’s a common grammatical hiccup, one that trips up even seasoned writers sometimes. The core issue often boils down to how we connect the main idea – the "problem" – to what that problem actually is.
Think of it like building a bridge. You have one side, the "problem," and you need to connect it to the other side, the explanation of what that problem entails. Simply stating "The problem is you save up little money" feels incomplete, doesn't it? It's like the bridge is missing its final span.
What we're really looking for here is a way to introduce a clause that explains the problem. This is where the humble conjunction "that" often steps in, acting as the perfect connector. When the explanation following "the problem is" is a complete, declarative sentence – meaning it makes a statement and doesn't ask a question or pose a condition – "that" is usually the word you need. So, "The problem is that you save up little money" becomes grammatically sound. It clearly states the specific issue: the fact of your low savings.
This isn't just about "that." Sometimes, the explanation of the problem isn't a full sentence but rather an infinitive phrase, like "to make a right choice." In this case, "The problem is to make a right choice" works perfectly. The infinitive phrase acts as the subject complement, directly defining the problem.
Let's look at another common scenario. Imagine someone saying, "The problem is overworking all day long will harm his health." Again, it feels a bit clunky. The phrase "overworking all day long will harm his health" is a complete thought, a statement of fact. To properly link it to "The problem is," we need that crucial connector. So, it should be "The problem is that overworking all day long will harm his health." This construction clearly establishes that the reason or the content of the problem is the potential harm from overwork.
It's fascinating how a single word, or a short phrase, can make such a difference. The reference material points out that options like "why" or "because" don't fit here because they imply a reason or cause in a way that doesn't align with simply stating what the problem is. Similarly, "which" or "what" don't work when the following clause is a complete statement explaining the problem.
So, the next time you're crafting a sentence that starts with "The problem is," take a moment to check if you're building that bridge correctly. Is the explanation a complete sentence? If so, "that" is likely your best friend. Is it an action or a state? Then an infinitive might be the way to go. It’s a small detail, but getting it right makes your communication so much clearer and more natural, like a good conversation with a friend who knows exactly what they mean.
