problem solving or problem solving hyphen

“Problem-Solving” Or “Problem Solving”? Learn If It Is Hyphenated

Is it problem-solving or problem solving? Hyphenation rules seem to be a little confusing when you’re first picking up a language. Don’t worry, though. They’re not nearly as complicated as the language may have led you to believe!

Problem-Solving Or Problem Solving – Hyphenated Or Not?

When we discuss the problem-solving hyphen rule, we learn that problem-solving is hyphenated when used to modify a noun or object in a sentence. We keep the two words separated when using them as their own noun and not modifying anything else in the sentence.

Examples Of When To Use “Problem-Solving”

Now that we’re into the whole debate of problem-solving vs problem solving, let’s look through some examples of how we can use “problem-solving” with a hyphen. As stated above, we use “problem-solving” when modifying a noun or object in a sentence. It’s the most common way to write “problem-solving.” Even the spelling without a hyphen is slowly being pushed out of common language use!

• This is a problem-solving class.
• I hold a problem-solving position at my workplace.
• My manager put me in charge of the problem-solving accounts.
• They say I have a problem-solving mind.
• We’re known as problem-solving children.

Examples Of When To Use “Problem Solving”

Though much less common to be seen written as a phrase noun, it is still worth mentioning. It’s grammatically correct to use “problem solving” at the end of a sentence or clause without a hyphen. However, as we stated above, many people are beginning to prefer the ease of sticking to the hyphenated spelling, meaning that it’s slowly phasing out of existence even in this form.

• I’m good at problem solving.
• This requires a lot of problem solving.
• We are all trained in problem solving.
• My job asks for problem solving.
• Did you say you were good at problem solving?

Is Problem-Solving Hyphenated AP Style?

Have you had a look through the rules in the AP stylebook before? Even if you haven’t, there’s a good explanation for hyphens there. As we stated above, we use hyphens when linking close words that modify a noun or object in a sentence. They’re used to help a reader better understand what is going on through the modification of the clause.

Should I Capitalize “Solving” In The Word “Problem-Solving”?

The question of “is problem-solving hyphenated” was answered, but now we’ve got a new question. What happens to capitalization rules when we add a hyphen to a title. It depends on your own title choices, so let’s look a little further into the three potential options. The first option capitalizes only the first word and any proper nouns in a title. In this case, neither word in “problem-solving” is capitalized.

The second option capitalizes all words except for short conjunctions, short prepositions, and articles. In this case, you will always capitalize “problem” but always leave “solving” uncapitalized. The final option capitalizes every single word in a title. No matter what, you’ll capitalize both words in “problem-solving” when using this style to write your titles.

Does The Rule Also Apply To “Problem Solver” Vs “Problem-Solver”?

The same rule does apply when we use “problem solver” instead of “problem solving.” However, it’s not often that we’ll see a “problem-solver” modifying a noun or object (unless it’s a problem-solver robot or something). So, it’s most likely you’ll write “problem solver.”

Alternatives To “Problem-Solving”

If you’re still struggling with the hyphen rule of whether it’s problem solving or problem-solving, there’s one last thing we can help you with. We can give you some alternatives that have the same meanings but don’t require a hyphen. This way, you can be safe in your own knowledge without having to worry about getting the rules wrong.

• interpretive

Quiz – Problem-Solving Or Problem Solving?

We’ll finish with a quiz to see how much you’ve learned from this article. The answers are all multiple choice, so you should have a blast with them! We’ll include the answers at the end to reference as well.

• I’ve been told that I’m good at (A. problem-solving / B. problem solving).
• I hold my (A. problem-solving / B. problem solving) skills close to my heart.
• We aren’t great at (A. problem-solving / B. problem solving).
• These are all the best (A. problem-solving / B. problem solving) subjects.
• Can we have a go at a (A. problem-solving / B. problem solving) puzzle?

Quiz Answers

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• Full time or Full-time? Learn if “Full time” is hyphenated
• “Well written” or “Well-written”? Learn If “Well written” Is Hyphenated
• “On-Time” Or “On Time”? Learn If “On Time” Is Hyphenated
• Year round or Year-round? (Hyphen Rule Explained)

Problem-Solving or Problem Solving? Hyphenation Best Practices

Alex Carter

English language has its quirks, and one such quirk that often trips up even the most seasoned writers is knowing when to use a hyphen. Today, I’ll tackle one of those tricky terms: “problem-solving” or “problem solving”? It’s an essential term in our daily lives, whether we’re tackling work dilemmas or figuring out weekend plans. But is it hyphenated?

The answer might surprise you. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, both versions are correct ! That’s right, you can use either “problem-solving” with a hyphen or “problem solving” without a hyphen depending on the context.

Now, before you breathe a sigh of relief thinking this linguistic dilemma doesn’t matter after all – let me stop you right there. While both variations are acceptable in English grammar, they’re not always interchangeable. The key lies in understanding their slightly different uses which I’ll delve into as we progress through this article.

Understanding the Concept of Problem-Solving

Here’s a fun fact. The English language is like a never-ending puzzle, isn’t it? Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, another question pops up! Today’s conundrum? The concept of “problem-solving.” Is it hyphenated or not?

Let me start by saying problem-solving is an essential skill in our lives. It’s that little mental muscle we flex whenever we’re faced with decisions – big or small. From figuring out what to have for breakfast to deciding on a career path, problem-solving plays an integral role.

So let’s dive straight into the grammar behind this term. Technically speaking, both “problem solving” and “problem-solving” are correct. But there’s a catch! When should you use which? Here’s how it works: when “problem solving” acts as a noun (the act of finding solutions), there’s no need for the hyphen. For example:

• She excels at problem solving.

But when it functions as an adjective (describing something else), put that hyphen in there! Like so:

• He displayed excellent problem-solving skills during the meeting.

Think about it like this: if you’re discussing the act – skip the dash! If you’re describing something else – add that dash!

One last thing before wrapping this up: remember my advice here only applies to compound adjectives like ‘problem-solving’, where two words work together to describe something else. There are other types of compound words where rules differ slightly but hey, let’s tackle one tricky grammatical topic at a time!

Don’t worry if you’re still feeling confused; even native speakers get tripped up by these nuances sometimes. That’s what makes English such an interesting language—there are always new things to discover and learn!

Difference Between ‘Problem Solving’ and ‘Problem-Solving’

Starting off, let’s get one thing clear: “problem solving” and “problem-solving” aren’t just two sides of the same coin. They’re related, sure, but they serve different purposes in our language.

Let’s delve into this a bit more. When you see “problem solving”, it’s typically used as a noun phrase that refers to the process or act of finding solutions to issues or challenges. For example:

• I enjoy problem solving.
• Problem solving is an essential skill for any job.

On the other hand, when you come across “problem-solving”, we’re dealing with an adjective here. It’s used to describe something — or someone – having the capacity or function of resolving difficulties. Here are some instances where you might see it in action:

• She has excellent problem-solving skills.
• We need a problem-solving approach to tackle this issue.

So what separates these two? It all comes down to that tiny hyphen – known formally as a compound modifier. In essence, this punctuation mark connects words together so they work as one descriptive element.

It’s like when you use peanut butter and jelly – individually, they’re great on their own (like ‘problem’ and ‘solving’). But sandwich them together with bread (the hyphen), and you’ve got yourself a classic PB&J sandwich!

That being said, don’t fret if you’ve mixed up these forms before – even seasoned writers find themselves tripped up by this tricky grammar rule now and then! Just remember: if you’re describing something with ‘problem’ and ‘solving’, stick that hyphen in there!

To sum things up:

• Use “Problem Solving” when talking about the act itself
• Use “Problem-Solving” when describing something or someone able to solve problems

Stay tuned for more intriguing insights into English language quirks coming your way!

Is ‘Problem-Solving’ Hyphenated? A Deep Dive

Ever wondered about the correct usage of the term “problem-solving”? You’re not alone. It’s a common enough question, especially when it comes to writing professional content or academic papers.

Let’s get straight to the point: “problem-solving” is indeed hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun. That means if you’re referring to problem-solving skills or a problem-solving approach, remember to stick that little dash in there.

To illustrate:

• Correct: I need to improve my problem-solving skills.
• Incorrect: I need to improve my problem solving skills.

On the flip side, if “problem solving” is functioning as a noun phrase – that is, it’s the subject or object of your sentence – then no hyphen is required.

Here are some examples for clarification:

• Correct: Problem solving takes patience and persistence.
• Incorrect: Problem-solving takes patience and persistence.

The English language can be as slippery as an eel sometimes! Just think of our hyphen here like one of those helpful traffic signs guiding you through unfamiliar territory – it lets us know when two words are working together as one unit (like ‘high-speed chase’) versus when they’re just hanging out side by side (as in ‘the chase was high speed’).

But don’t worry too much! Even seasoned writers might trip up on this from time to time. Remembering rules like these helps keep your writing clear and polished. And who knows? Maybe next time you’ll be the one answering someone else’s grammar questions!

Conclusion: Clarifying Common Misconceptions About Problem-Solving

So, here we are at the end of our journey together. I’ve enjoyed guiding you through the labyrinth that is English language usage and grammar.

Let’s clear something up once and for all – “problem-solving” or “problem solving”? The answer may surprise you. When used as a noun or an adjective before a noun, it’s hyphenated. For example:

• Noun: My problem-solving capabilities have improved.
• Adjective: She displayed fine problem-solving skills.

However, when ‘solving’ acts as a verb standing alone after ‘problem’, no hyphen is needed:

• He is good at problem solving.

To make this even clearer, let’s use bullet points to list some examples:

• Correct: I need to improve my problem-solving ability.
• Incorrect: I need to improve my problem solving ability.
• Correct: His strength lies in problem solving.
• Incorrect: His strength lies in problem-solving.

I hope this helps dispel any confusion surrounding the term “problem-solving”. It sure can be tricky navigating through the intricacies of English language rules!

Finally, let me share a metaphor with you to illustrate how important proper punctuation is – consider it like traffic signals on your writing journey! Just as traffic lights ensure smooth driving by controlling vehicle flow, correct punctuation ensures smoother reading by managing information flow.

And remember that learning never stops; there’s always more to discover about our fascinating language! So keep those questions coming, and don’t forget – when it comes to grammar nuances like these, every detail matters!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Problem Solving or Problem-Solving?

The term problem-solving with a hyphen is an adjective that describes nouns in a sentence. E.g., “The problem-solving abilities of this program are excellent.” Furthermore, the term problem solving without a hyphen is a noun. E.g., “He is excellent at problem solving.”

The term problem solving can appear as two different word types, a noun or a compound adjective.

When problem-solving has a hyphen, it is an adjective describing a noun .

For example, in this sentence, problem-solving describes capabilities , which is a noun. Therefore, you need to include a hyphen.

• Her problem-solving capabilities are outstanding.

However, when you use problem solving as a noun , the term is usually not hyphenated because it doesn’t modify anything.

• She is an expert at all types of problem solving .

Furthermore, the rule of using a hyphen for the adjective but not for the noun is correct grammar according to AP Style and the Chicago Manual of Style .

Sometimes in English, the rules concerning punctuation, such as hyphens, are vague. For example, in the Cambridge and Oxford dictionaries, the noun problem-solving appears with a hyphen.

Essentially, you should always use a hyphen for the term problem-solving as an adjective. However, for problem solving as a noun, unless you follow a specific style guide like AP that does not use a hyphen, you can choose whether to hyphenate the noun. Just make sure that you are consistent with your choice.

In addition, Google Ngram shows that problem solving without a hyphen is slightly more popular in the US than with a hyphen. However, in the UK , the hyphenated version is slightly more frequent.

Now that you have learned the basics concerning the term problem solving, please keep reading the rest of the article to learn more about using the two variations of problem solving .

Problem Solving

The term problem solving as two words without a hyphen is the noun form.

In terms of use, it relates to resolving problems, which can relate to problems in a specific discipline or more general problems.

In the following examples, the term problem solving refers to the act of solving problems. Therefore, we do not need a hyphen.

• Her inability to perform problem solving on any task means that she loses her temper quickly.
• You should include problem solving as a skill on your resume.
• In team projects, effective problem solving can lead to innovative solutions and successful outcomes.
• Problem solving is not just about finding immediate answers but understanding the root cause of the issue.
• Her approach to problem solving often involves breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps.

Furthermore, you should use the above rule when following both AP Style or the Chicago Manual of Style.

Problem-Solving

The term problem-solving as one word with a hyphen is a compound word that appears before a noun. Hence, it modifies the noun .

For example, in the following sentence, the word problem-solving modifies the noun skills.

• His problem-solving skills are the best in the company.
• Her problem-solving approach is both methodical and creative, making her a valuable asset to the team.
• The workshop focuses on problem-solving techniques to address everyday challenges.
• Many employers prioritize candidates with strong problem-solving abilities in dynamic work environments.
• The game challenges children to use their problem-solving instincts to navigate various puzzles.

Furthermore, you will come across some sentences in which the noun problem solving has a hyphen.

As shown in these examples:

• You need to work on your problem-solving if you want to become an engineer.
• Improving your problem-solving is essential for success in mathematics.
• Mastering problem-solving will greatly benefit you in software development.

This is often a stylistic choice . However, in writing that follows AP Style , you should not use a hyphen with the noun form of problem solving.

Problemsolving

The word problemsolving as a single word with no hyphen or space is incorrect , and you shouldn’t use it in this format.

There are two ways you can use the term problem solving .

The first is as a noun, in which case there is no hyphen, but there is a space.

• Correct: He is excellent at problem solving because he never gives up. (noun)
• Incorrect: He is excellent at problemsolving because he never gives up. (noun)
• Correct : She has a knack for problem solving , especially in high-pressure situations. (noun)
• Incorrect : She has a knack for problemsolving , especially in high-pressure situations. (noun)

Also, you can write problem-solving as an adjective, in which case you need a hyphen.

• Correct: He is excellent at problem solving because he never gives up. (adjective)
• Incorrect: He is excellent at problemsolving because he never gives up. (adjective)
• Correct : They often turn to her for advice on problem solving in challenging situations. (adjective)
• Incorrect : They often turn to her for advice on problemsolving in challenging situations. (adjective)

That’s all you need to know about the grammar rules concerning the words problem solving , problem-solving , and problemsolving . Rest assured that your sentences will be correct if you follow these!

• Half Day or Half-Day?
• Well Deserved or Well-Deserved?
• Well Written or Well-Written?
• World Class or World-Class?

We are a team of dedicated English teachers.

Our mission is to help you create a professional impression toward colleagues, clients, and executives.

© EnglishRecap

• To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In

problem-solving

Definition of problem-solving

Examples of problem-solving in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'problem-solving.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Dictionary Entries Near problem-solving

Cite this entry.

“Problem-solving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/problem-solving. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the day.

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More commonly misspelled words, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), absent letters that are heard anyway, how to use accents and diacritical marks, popular in wordplay, the words of the week - apr. 26, 9 superb owl words, 'gaslighting,' 'woke,' 'democracy,' and other top lookups, 10 words for lesser-known games and sports, your favorite band is in the dictionary, games & quizzes.

Need help submitting your writing to literary journals or book publishers/literary agents?  Click here! →

Hyphen Rules: Don’t Let Misused Hyphens Muddle Your Adjectives Or Your Writing

by Writer's Relief Staff | Grammar and Usage , Proofreading , Punctuation | 8 comments

Review Board is now open! Submit your Short Prose, Poetry, and Book today!

Deadline: thursday, april 18th.

Updated June 2023

Learning how to correctly use a hyphen is tricky. The function of the hyphen is to clarify, but it sometimes does the opposite, particularly when it’s used with compound adjectives. Here are some basic hyphenation rules to help you decide when a hyphen is necessary and when its use will just muddle your writing—and confuse your reader.

Be sure you know the difference between a hyphen and an en dash .

Rule 1: When compound adjectives come before a noun, the adjectives should be hyphenated.

Compound Adjective: two or more adjectives that work together to describe the same noun

Example 1: On Monday, Mrs. Thomas taught problem-solving skills to her class.

The compound adjective problem-solving tells what kind of skills Mrs. Thomas taught. Since these adjectives come before the noun and work together to describe the noun, it’s necessary to place a hyphen between them.

To understand why the hyphen is needed, remove it, then check the sentence’s meaning—it will be very different:

Example 2: On Monday, Mrs. Thomas taught problem solving skills to her class.

With no hyphen between the two adjectives, the writer’s meaning is unclear. Did Mrs. Thomas teach solving skills that were a problem ? Did she teach two types of skills to her class: problem skills and solving skills? Be sure that your punctuation reflects what you’re trying to say.

Also, watch for words that look like compound adjectives but are really separate, independent adjectives. Take a look at the following sentence:

Example 3: Stephen King is a successful, popular writer.

Here, successful and popular do not form a compound adjective; instead, they are two separate, independent adjectives describing writer , and a comma—rather than a hyphen—should be placed between them. Either word could be used by itself, and the sentence would make sense.

Rule 2: If the compound adjective comes after the noun it describes, no hyphen is needed.

Example 4: On Monday, Mrs. Thomas taught her class many skills, including problem solving .

Since problem solving follows the noun (skills), no hyphen is needed.

Sometimes writers may use what is called a suspending hyphen , a hyphen that is used when two or more adjectives have the same base element, and the base element is shown only with the last term. Consider the following examples:

Example 5: Although they couldn’t wait for their new furniture, Bill and Abby knew that there would be a three- to four-day delay in delivery.

Here, three and four share the base word day . The writer could have written three-day and four-day delay , but using the suspending hyphen creates writing that is more succinct and easier to read.

Example 6: Peter’s knowledge of the case was through second- and thirdhand information.

In this sentence, the hyphen after second tells the reader that second shares the same base element as thirdhand , which is, of course, hand . Again, using the suspending hyphen is more efficient than writing secondhand and thirdhand information .

So far, so good, right? Well, there is an exception to these basic hyphenation rules.

Rule 3: Do not hyphenate when the first of the two words ends in -ly.

Example 7: Maddie is an extremely overworked mother.

Extremely is an adverb. By definition, adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. In this sentence, extremely is not describing mother (which is a noun) but is telling how overworked Maddie is. Therefore, no hyphen is needed between extremely and overworked .

Rule 4: Watch for special hyphenated nouns.

Example 8: She was the runner-up in the beauty contest.

Other examples can include mother-in-law (and the other in-laws), best-seller, follow-up, etc. When in doubt about a hyphenated noun (as opposed to a compound word, such as letterhead or freeway), don’t guess. It’s always best to look it up in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (our dictionary of choice).

Hyphens may be disappearing in some cases (thanks to the Internet), but if you proofread your work carefully and follow these basic rules, they won’t trip you up! Learn more about Writer’s Relief expert proofreaders ! And once your work is proofread, why not use Writer’s Relief’s expertise? We can help target the best markets and boost your odds of getting an acceptance or securing agent representation. Learn more about our services and submit your writing sample to our Review Board today!

The best rule about hyphens is to AVOID them unless absolutely necessary for sense.

Would you write [non-spark-producing material] or [non-spark producing material]?

Joe, in this instance, you would write [non-spark-producing material]. However, you might want to reword that depending on the rest of the sentence; it sounds a bit awkward. Hope this helped!

I learned the general rule that always works for me: no noun, no hyphen. I do wonder, however, about fully equipped, such as “he had a fully-equipped shop.” I’m guessing that follows the ly rule?

That is correct, Madie. Fully equipped falls under the -ly rule.

Thanks, I have recently been looking for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered!

Hi! I am trying to determine if using the term “problem solver” as in, I am a problem solver, would that be hyphenated?

“Problem solver” has no hyphen.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

See ALL the services we offer, from FREE to Full Service!

Click here for a Writer’s Relief Full Service Overview

Services Catalog

Free Publishing Leads and Tips!

• Name * First Name
• Email * Enter Email Confirm Email
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Featured Articles

Featured Video

• Facebook 121k Followers
• Twitter 113.9k Followers
• YouTube 5.1k Followers
• Instagram 5.5k Followers
• LinkedIn 146.2k Followers
• Pinterest 33.5k Followers

Pin It on Pinterest

English Intelligent

Is Problem-Solving Hyphenated?

Hyphens are a complicated grammar point that is difficult to learn. One word that many people get confused about is “problem-solving.” You will see this word used often in formal environments, especially with a hyphen. Is problem-solving hyphenated?

Yes, problem-solving is hyphenated because it is an adjective modifying a noun. Problem-solving is what is called a compound adjective, meaning it needs the hyphen. Without the hyphen, problem-solving becomes problem solving and takes on a completely different meaning that you should not use when describing a noun.

The rest of this article will cover what problem-solving means and how to use problem-solving in a sentence.

What Does Problem-Solving Mean?

Problem-solving is a compound adjective that describes the process of fixing a problem. If you break it down, you’ll see the compound has two words: problem and solving. Problem is a harmful situation that needs to be dealt with. Solving is the resolution to situations like problems.

When you put the two words together, you get “problem-solving”, or the methods people take to solve a problem. For example, if someone says “You have great problem-solving skills,” they mean you can solve problems well.

Since school revolves around solving problems, you will see the word “problem-solving” everywhere in school environments. The same applies to work. A lot of businesses require employees to think on their feet and adapt to different problems.

If you want to impress your bosses or professors, make sure you add a hyphen in between problem and solving so the word is spelled correctly. Without the hyphen, problem-solving is no longer the same word.

Multi-word expressions need to have hyphens between them if they are being used to describe a noun. When being used to describe a noun, you should always add a hyphen to “problem-solving.”

How To Use Problem-Solving In A Sentence

Problem-solving is an adjective, meaning you need to use it to describe a person, place, or thing. It can be both positive and negative depending on the context of the sentence. For example, if you say someone has bad problem-solving skills, that is a negative use of the word.

Here are a few examples of “problem-solving” used in a sentence:

• “Last week, John went to Amy and helped her work on her problem-solving skills.”
• “After watching Jessica quickly adapt to her new workload, I have concluded that she has amazing problem-solving skills.”
• “Problem-solving skills are important because they help you think on your feet, adapt to a wide variety of situations, and help others more effectively.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

A Word, Please: Should you use a hyphen? It often depends on the part of speech

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Do you ever login to your email? Or do you log in? Either way, do you use your log-in? During the holiday season, do you use gift wrap to gift-wrap gifts? Do you use your pickup to pick up the kids as they hang out at their favorite hangout?

If you find these matters intimidating, don’t. Even people with excellent language and punctuation skills can be stumped when it’s time to decide whether a term should be one word, two words or hyphenated.

Really, how could you guess that a water-skier water skis on water skis? And even if you did suss out that water-skiing takes a hyphen, your sussing skills would betray you if you had to write about skeet shooting, which is not hyphenated.

If you don’t want to stress over these matters, good news: You don’t have to. No one is expected to know them all. Not even copy editors commit all these terms to memory.

But if you would like to approach these hyphenation situations with greater confidence, you need to know where to look them up and how.

Most of the time, you’ll find answers in the dictionary. But don’t just skim the entry word to see if there’s a hyphen in it. Note what part of speech you’re looking for — noun, verb or adjective — then find that form under the entry word. Otherwise, you could glimpse “water ski” in the dictionary and assume it’s correct to write that you like to water ski.

According to Merriam-Webster’s, the noun meaning a piece of sports equipment takes no hyphen — it’s a water ski. But the verb does — you water-ski. Water-skier has its own entry, complete with hyphen.

A Word, Please: Whet your grammar skills with this list of common terms people get wrong

Webster’s will help clear up misconceptions about what you heard and what you think you heard.

March 5, 2021

Of course, water-skiing probably doesn’t come up as much as logging in to websites and email accounts. But the terms “log in” and “log on” are a little messier. For a simple guide, remember that the verb form is two words. You never login to your account. You log in. Merriam-Webster’s actually doesn’t have an entry for “log in” or “login.” They have one for “log on,” where they note that “log in” is an alternative form.

Interestingly, there is no noun form of “logon” or “login” in Merriam’s. Instead, the dictionary lists the noun as hyphenated. So according to this dictionary you log on using your log-on and you log in using your log-in.

Personally, I think Merriam’s is a little behind the times on this one. It’s common for two-word and hyphenated forms to slowly merge into closed one-word forms, like “teen-ager” and “good-bye.” So I’ll allow “login” or “logon” as a noun when I’m editing.

I will not, however, allow “log into” or “log onto.” To my mind, “log in” and “log on” are phrasal verbs and “log into” and “log onto” are not. Merriam’s has my back on this to a certain degree: The dictionary treats “log in to” and “log on to” as the preferred forms, but it also recognizes “into.”

In most cases, you’ll find that verb forms tend to be open compounds: pick up, gift wrap, hang out. Nouns are often one word: hangout, pickup. But you’ll find a lot of nouns hyphenated in the dictionary, too: problem-solving, decision-maker. Some nouns aren’t listed, like the paper we call gift wrap. In those cases, you can just combine two words, usually without a hyphen: gift wrap.

Adjectives are a little different. For these, if they’re not in the dictionary, there’s a rule you can apply: Hyphenate any two words used to modify a noun anytime the hyphen could aid understanding. A woman eating lobster, after all, is quite different from a woman-eating lobster. But if your compound includes an adverb that ends in “ly,” no need for a hyphen. The adverb form itself eliminates all chance of confusion when you write about a “happily married couple” or a “beautifully composed musical score.”

Just don’t feel bad that you don’t know all the answers. No one does.

June Casagrande is the author of “The Joy of Syntax: A Simple Guide to All the Grammar You Know You Should Know.” She can be reached at [email protected] .

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.

All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.

Get our free TimesOC newsletter.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.

More on this Subject

Mailbag: MAGA supporters walk among us

April 25, 2024

The Crowd: Jeremy Poincenot, the World Blind Golf Champion, speaks at Beyond Blindness event

A Word, Please: Advanced punctuation tips for those in the know

April 23, 2024

Mailbag: Whose ‘agenda’ is at work at the library?

April 18, 2024

• Common Mistakes

Common mistake problem-solve

Common grammar mistakes in english, 1. problem-solve.

The noun or verb "problem-solve" is spelled with a hyphen. For example, "She is an expert in problem-solving."

2. Spelling Mistake with Noun or Verb

It is important to distinguish whether a word should be used as a noun or a verb. For instance, "affect" is a verb, while "effect" is a noun.

• The rainy weather affected the attendance at the picnic. (verb)
• The effect of the heavy rainfall was flooding in the city. (noun)

3. Incorrect Spelling of Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs often cause confusion because they can be written as separate words or joined by a hyphen. It is important to know which form is correct.

• I need to back up my important files. (verb + adverb)
• The computer needs a backup system. (adjective + noun)
• She couldn't break up with her toxic boyfriend. (verb + adverb)
• The breakup was devastating for both of them. (noun)

Linguix grammar checker is a helpful tool for identifying and correcting such common mistakes in English writing.

problem-solve mistake examples

Correct: There are many different approaches to problem-solving .

Correct: I problem-solved it by reading about it on the Internet.

Correct: I didn't problem-solve it yet.

Related mistakes from category Grammar

• Dictionaries home
• American English
• Collocations
• German-English
• Grammar home
• Practical English Usage
• Learn & Practise Grammar (Beta)
• Word Lists home
• My Word Lists
• Recent additions
• Resources home
• Text Checker

Definition of problem-solving noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

problem-solving

• to develop problem-solving skills and strategies

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

Nearby words

Grammar Guide

Hyphens: compound (word) interest.

Posted May 28, 2012 by Pam Nelson & filed under Copy Editing , Mechanics , Punctuation , Style , Stylebooks .

Perhaps I shouldn’t admit this, but I have a weakness as a copy editor. It’s punctuation. I am often at a loss when a colleague asks me about commas, semicolons and hyphens. Usually, I can put the question off while I check the style guides and usage books. You would think that after all these years some of that research would have embedded the rules in my brain permanently, but apparently I have a deep-seated mental resistance.

The latest reminder of my punctuation weakness came last week when a colleague asked about the compound noun “problem solver.” I had not added a hyphen when I edited the piece with that noun in a headline, but another editor suggested that it should have a hyphen. I vaguely remembered a rule that calls for hyphens in compound adjectives and compound verbs but not in compound nouns. I had to refresh my memory once again and look up hyphens and compounds.

What I have found:

The Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition, has eight pages of excellent and detailed guidance in “Compounds and Hyphenation,” 7.77-7.85.

The Gregg Reference Manual , 10th Edition, by William A. Sabin has 29 pages of guidance, pp. 216-244, sections 801-846.

Bryan A. Garner’s Garner’s Modern American Usage , Third Edition, has a bit more than four pages on “Phrasal Adjectives” and “Phrasal Verbs,” pp. 625-629.

The most valuable guidance from each of these wonderful reference works is consult the dictionary . The second-most valuable advice is consider the reader’s understanding . In other words, if hyphenating a compound will head off confusion on the reader’s part, use the hyphen.

1. Compound adjectives are generally hyphenated before a noun but not in the predicate: the commencement speaker is a well-known author; the commencement speaker is well known .

2. Compound verbs are hyphenated when two nouns are joined to create a verb: ice-skate , court-martial . But hyphens can also prevent ambiguity in verbs.  There is a difference, for example, between  recovering  a sofa (perhaps from the dump where it was thrown) and  re-covering  a sofa (because its upholstery is stained from being cast into a dump).

3. Compound nouns may be open (spelled as two or more words with no hyphen), hyphenated (written with one or more hyphens) or closed or solid (written as one word). You can look up the word compound in a dictionary and follow the spelling listed. Alternatively, if you don’t find the word in any form, you can write it as two words (preferable in most instances) or you can decide that the compound would be better understood with a hyphen.

So we would hyphenate the compound modifier problem-solving and the wretchedly jargonistic verb problem-solve (to help the reader’s understanding), but we don’t need to hyphenate the noun problem solver because that compound was not listed in any dictionary I checked. I don’t think a hyphen would hurt, though, and if your boss says he or she prefers a hyphen, use it.

One other lesson from my research for this post is what great resources Chicago Manual of Style and Gregg Reference Manual are. Even if you don’t use Chicago for your day-to-day editing, it is worth having on your shelf. And I think Gregg is essential for anyone who writes for business.

I also checked The Economist Style Guide and found that British publications are more likely to use hyphens.

The Associated Press Stylebook has this to say about hyphens:

Use of the hyphen is far from standardized. It is optional in most cases, a matter of taste, judgment and style sense. But the fewer hyphens the better; use them only when not using them causes confusion.

Besides the books I mentioned, I consulted some websites. Here are a few that I found helpful:

Writing for Business and Pleasure by Stephen Wilbers. “Spelling compound words with or without hyphens”

GrammarBook.com by Jane Straus, author of The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation , “Hyphens”

Oxford Dictionaries, “Hyphen”

The Guide to Grammar and Writing , sponsored by the Capital Community College Foundation. Founded by Dr. Charles Darling. “Compound Words”

University of Houston-Victoria Academic Center , “Using Hyphens Correctly.” This is a PDF that has a practice quiz at the end of it.

Mayfield Electronic Handbook of Technical & Scientific Writing . Authors: Leslie C. Perelman, Edward Barrett, and James Paradis. “Hyphens”

• About Pam Nelson
• Grammar Quizzes

Is Problem-Solving Hyphenated? Rules & Examples

The Cambridge Dictionary defines "problem solving" as the ability to find solutions to different problems.

Problem-solving with a hyphen is among the most used hyphenated compound nouns; however, according to various English language grammar rules, its use depends on the context.

So, is problem-solving always hyphenated? What are the most basic rules we should know before using this phrase's noun form? Let's find out.

Should I Write Problem-solving or Problem Solving?

Both “problem-solving” and “problem solving” are correct, but they are not typically used interchangeably, in line with basic noun hyphenation rules.

If you are using the term as an adjective to describe a noun, you should write "problem-solving" with a hyphen. For example: "The problem-solving skills of the team are remarkable."

If you are using the term as a noun , you should write "problem solving" without a hyphen. For example: "She excels in problem solving."

The decision to use a hyphen or not depends on whether you are using the term as a compound adjective or a standalone noun.

Differences Between Problem-Solving and Problem Solving

Both “problem solving” and “problem-solving” are common language phrases with the same meaning, but their form varies depending on context. There are three punctual differences between these two terms:

1. Grammar and Usage:

• "Problem-solving" (with a hyphen) is used as a compound adjective to describe a noun. For example, "The problem-solving skills of the team were evident."
• "Problem solving" (without a hyphen) is used as a noun. For example, "She excels in problem solving."

2. Hyphen Usage:

• The hyphen in “problem-solving” indicates its function as a compound adjective. It follows the grammatical convention of using hyphens in compound adjectives.
• “Problem solving” without a hyphen is a standard noun form; here, a hyphen isn't used because it doesn't function as a compound adjective modifying another noun.

3. Clarity and Emphasis:

• "Problem-solving" can be used when you want to emphasize the adjective nature of the term, highlighting the skills or abilities related to solving problems.
• "Problem solving" as a noun may be preferred when you want to emphasize the action or concept itself, without focusing on its role as an adjective modifying another noun.

Problem-Solving Sentence Examples

Here are some sentence examples using “problem-solving” as a compound adjective:

• The problem-solving team quickly addressed the technical issues.
• We need a problem-solving approach to tackle the current challenges.
• His problem-solving skills proved invaluable in resolving the customer complaints.
• The problem-solving workshop provided practical strategies for decision-making.
• The project's success was attributed to effective problem-solving strategies.
• Team members showcased their problem-solving abilities during the simulation.
• The software engineer's problem-solving mindset improved system efficiency.
• The company values employees with strong problem-solving capabilities.
• A problem-solving mindset is crucial in adapting to changes in the SEO landscape.

Problem Solving Sentence Examples

Here are some examples of using 'problem solving' as a noun phrase:

• Effective problem solving requires creativity and critical thinking.
• Her problem solving led to a successful resolution of the conflict.
• The company encourages a culture of continuous improvement through problem solving.
• Problem solving is a key competency in leadership roles.
• Within collaborative projects, effective problem solving can lead to innovative solutions and successful outcomes.

How to Use Problem-Solving or Problem Solving

If you find yourself uncertain about whether to use "problem-solving" or "problem solving" these three main rules can provide clarity and help you make the right choice:

1. Adjective vs. Noun:

• Use “Problem-Solving” (with a hyphen): When using the term as a compound adjective to describe a noun.
• Use "Problem Solving" (without a hyphen): When you are using the term as a standalone noun.

2. Emphasis on Skill or Process:

• Use "Problem-Solving" (with a hyphen): When you want to emphasize the skills, abilities, or characteristics related to solving problems. For example, "The SEO team demonstrated excellent problem-solving capabilities.
• "Use "Problem Solving" (without a hyphen): When you want to focus on the general concept or activity of solving problems without emphasizing specific skills. For example, "Effective problem solving is crucial in digital marketing."

3. Adherence to Style Guides:

• Use "Problem-Solving" (with a hyphen): If you are following style guides such as AP Style or the Chicago Manual of Style, which recommend using a hyphen when the term is used as a compound adjective.
• Use "Problem Solving" (without a hyphen): If you are following a more casual or flexible writing style, or if you prefer a simpler, non-hyphenated form.

Summary: Is Problem-Solving Hyphenated?

There you have it - "problem-solving" with a hyphen serves as a compound adjective, highlighting specific skills related to addressing challenges, while "problem solving" without a hyphen is a standalone noun emphasizing the broader concept of resolving issues.

Vary the use of this phrase based on the sentence context and the intended meaning, as it solely depends on the term's grammatical role.

Write better perfectly

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of problem-solving in English

Your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio

• problem-solver

Examples of problem-solving

Word of the Day

of or relating to birds

Dead ringers and peas in pods (Talking about similarities, Part 2)

Learn more with +Plus

• Recent and Recommended {{#preferredDictionaries}} {{name}} {{/preferredDictionaries}}
• Definitions Clear explanations of natural written and spoken English English Learner’s Dictionary Essential British English Essential American English
• Grammar and thesaurus Usage explanations of natural written and spoken English Grammar Thesaurus
• Pronunciation British and American pronunciations with audio English Pronunciation
• English–Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Simplified)–English
• English–Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (Traditional)–English
• English–Dutch Dutch–English
• English–French French–English
• English–German German–English
• English–Indonesian Indonesian–English
• English–Italian Italian–English
• English–Japanese Japanese–English
• English–Norwegian Norwegian–English
• English–Polish Polish–English
• English–Portuguese Portuguese–English
• English–Spanish Spanish–English
• English–Swedish Swedish–English
• Dictionary +Plus Word Lists
• problem-solving
• All translations

Add problem-solving to one of your lists below, or create a new one.

{{message}}

Something went wrong.

There was a problem sending your report.

Words and phrases

Personal account.

• Access or purchase personal subscriptions
• Get our newsletter
• Save searches
• Set display preferences

Institutional access

Sign in with library card

Sign in with username / password

Recommend to your librarian

Institutional account management

Sign in as administrator on Oxford Academic

problem-solve verb

• Hide all quotations

What does the verb problem-solve mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the verb problem-solve . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the verb problem-solve ?

How is the verb problem-solve pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the verb problem-solve come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the verb problem-solve is in the 1950s.

OED's earliest evidence for problem-solve is from 1956, in New York Times .

problem-solve is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: problem n. , solve v.

Nearby entries

• probleming, n. 1657–
• problemist, n. a1631–
• problemistic, adj. 1892–
• problemize, v. 1844–
• problemless, adj. 1865–
• problemo, n. 1985–
• problem of three bodies, n. 1814–
• problem-orientated, adj. 1951–
• problem-oriented, adj. 1946–
• problem play, n. 1894–
• problem-solve, v. 1956–
• problem-solver, n. 1848–
• problem-solving, n. & adj. 1854–
• problem tape, n. 1948–
• problem-wise, adv. a1859–
• pro-Boarder, n. 1902–
• pro-Boerism, n. 1899–
• probole, n.¹ 1684–1880
• probole, n.² 1696–
• probolistic, adj. 1876–
• pro bono, adv. & adj. 1774–

Thank you for visiting Oxford English Dictionary

To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription. After purchasing, please sign in below to access the content.

Meaning & use

Pronunciation, entry history for problem-solve, v..

problem-solve, v. was first published in December 2004.

problem-solve, v. was last modified in July 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into problem-solve, v. in July 2023.

Please submit your feedback for problem-solve, v.

Please include your email address if you are happy to be contacted about your feedback. OUP will not use this email address for any other purpose.

Citation details

Factsheet for problem-solve, v., browse entry.

Rule "problem-solve"

This is one of many errors that LanguageTool can detect. Visit the LanguageTool homepage to use it online or download it for free.

Is Problem-Solving Hyphenated?

Hyphens are a complicated grammar point that is difficult to learn. One word that many people get confused about is “problem-solving.” You will see this word used often in formal environments, especially with a hyphen. Is problem-solving hyphenated?

Yes, problem-solving is hyphenated because it is an adjective modifying a noun. Problem-solving is what is called a compound adjective, meaning it needs the hyphen. Without the hyphen, problem-solving becomes problem solving and takes on a completely different meaning that you should not use when describing a noun.

The rest of this article will cover what problem-solving means and how to use problem-solving in a sentence.

What Does Problem-Solving Mean?

Problem-solving is a compound adjective that describes the process of fixing a problem. If you break it down, you’ll see the compound has two words: problem and solving. Problem is a harmful situation that needs to be dealt with. Solving is the resolution to situations like problems.

When you put the two words together, you get “problem-solving”, or the methods people take to solve a problem. For example, if someone says “You have great problem-solving skills,” they mean you can solve problems well.

Since school revolves around solving problems, you will see the word “problem-solving” everywhere in school environments. The same applies to work. A lot of businesses require employees to think on their feet and adapt to different problems.

If you want to impress your bosses or professors, make sure you add a hyphen in between problem and solving so the word is spelled correctly. Without the hyphen, problem-solving is no longer the same word.

Multi-word expressions need to have hyphens between them if they are being used to describe a noun. When being used to describe a noun, you should always add a hyphen to “problem-solving.”

How To Use Problem-Solving In A Sentence

Problem-solving is an adjective, meaning you need to use it to describe a person, place, or thing. It can be both positive and negative depending on the context of the sentence. For example, if you say someone has bad problem-solving skills, that is a negative use of the word.

Here are a few examples of “problem-solving” used in a sentence:

• “Last week, John went to Amy and helped her work on her problem-solving skills.”
• “After watching Jessica quickly adapt to her new workload, I have concluded that she has amazing problem-solving skills.”
• “Problem-solving skills are important because they help you think on your feet, adapt to a wide variety of situations, and help others more effectively.”

Related posts:

• In Person Or In-Person? Which Is Correct?
• Well Deserved or Well-Deserved? Which is Correct? A Clear Explanation
• In-House or In House? Which is Correct in English
• Fridays or Friday’s: Understanding the Difference

• Rules/Help/FAQ Help/FAQ
• Members Current visitors
• Interface Language

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• English Only

Problem solving assessment: Hyphen?

• Thread starter Englishmypassion
• Start date Aug 10, 2015

Englishmypassion

Senior member.

• Aug 10, 2015

Dear Teachers, Namaste! Would you use a hyphen between "problem" and "solving" in "problem solving assessment"? It's the name of an test that aims to assess students' ability to solve problems, especially ones related to practical life. Besides, is the name of the test correct, hyphenated or without a hyphen? Many thanks.  

Member Emeritus

I would: Problem-Solving Assessment, as a title.  

It sounds like it is what you said you wanted it to be: a "test that aims to assess students' ability to solve problems."  

I don't know why it doesn't sound very good to me to mean the meaning intended. "Problem-solving" seems to modify "assessment" like "highest-scoring" in "highest-scoring batsman". And I wonder if we can treat "problem solving" as the name of a subject and use the title without a hyphen. The CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education, the largest education board of India) uses "Problem Solving Assessment" (without any hyphen) as the name of the test, though there is no specific/distinct subject by that name. PS: There is no guarantee of the education board being correct.  

Moderator Emeritus

• Aug 11, 2015

DonnyB said: Personally, I would hyphenate it - "Problem-solving assessment" - as it's an assessment of the ability (or procedure) to solve problems. Like most titles, it relies on additional context to convey the meaning that it's a test of students' ability to solve problems. Click to expand...

More From Forbes

5 keys to solving the right problems in your business.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Two multi-ethnic workers working in a plastics factory, standing on the factory floor, looking at ... [+] the control panel of one of the machines. The African-American man is pointing to the panel. His coworker, an Hispanic woman, is holding a digital tablet.

There is no doubt that today’s business challenges are more complex and global than ever, but I still see my peers and business leaders using the same strategies that worked for them years ago. Aspiring new business owners often sink millions into innovations and marketing plans that never get off the ground, and overlook simple details that cost them time, energy, and success.

For example, many businesses are currently struggling with getting their employees back to the office for work, to improve business productivity, accountability, and customer satisfaction. In fact, this challenge clearly has personal team considerations, as well as business implications. Many people prefer the flexibility and comfort of working from home, outweighing results and growth.

I’m not sure if the real problem here is business process or people management, or both, but there is certainly much room for error on both sides. As a consultant, I found some good strategies for not solving the wrong problem in a recent book, “ Solve the Real Problem ,” by Roger L. Firestien, PhD., from Buffalo State University, Innovation Resources, and other roles.

He has real credentials in academia, as well as problem-solving and innovation experiences with many businesses around the world. He offers some key recommendations that I also espouse for how to zero in on the root challenge and not waste large amounts of time and money you cannot afford:

1. Creative questions are key to problem definition. Focus on chains of fact-finding questions and judgement or decision questions to bring out solution ideas. In all cases, defer judgment and avoid excuses like “I don’t have time.” One good question can generate whole new fields of inquiry and can prompt changes in entrenched thinking.

The Best Romantic Comedy Of The Last Year Just Hit Netflix

Apple iphone 16 unique all new design promised in new report, the world s best beers according to the 2024 world beer cup.

Creative questions are also useful for exploring new business ideas. Just remember that solving customer problems is the challenge here, rather than internal problems. The process and the results are the same – starting with creative questions to find the real opportunity.

2. Adopt a more effective problem-solving mindset. Analyze your habitual approach to problem solving and be prepared to challenge your own assumptions. Avoid settling for symptoms as the problem or jumping to conclusions based on poor information or your own biases. Sometimes we get in our own way and end up working on the wrong thing.

This strategy also applies to new opportunities for customer growth as well as organizational problems. I still see too many technologists whose mindset is focused on the beauty of their innovation, rather than the problem it solves for customers.

3. Don’t trust or act on your first impression. We all make wrong judgments on first impressions, especially with recurring problems or with people who are of a different nationality, race, and ethnicity. First impressions are usually wrong, especially if they are made in an emotional environment, under time constraints, or with too little information.

4. Get an outside perspective with no agenda. The best way to get an outside perspective is to tap into people who run in circles different from your own. Look for “creative catalysts” who can provide a fresh perspective on the problem and potential solutions. Beware of experts in the relevant technology who may have their own biases.

5. Look for the bigger picture, not minutiae. Make sure that you don’t become unable to see the “forest for the trees” by looking only at a few details of the problem. Consciously step back and take a broader view of the challenge ahead. This approach also builds alignment with related perspectives and issues, and results in better long-term solutions.

In the real world, my experience is that none of these strategies will work without conscientious business leadership, committed team members, a positive business model, and a viable customer opportunity. Your team also needs the creativity skills and training to properly diagnose problems and challenges, generate solutions, and put these solutions into action.

I encourage all of you to recognize that every business in today’s world will encounter challenges and world-class problems. Thus it behooves all of us to continuously update our business problem-solving strategies, support a culture of innovation, and keep moving forward in your quest to make the world a better place, and enjoy the journey to get there.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

• Presidential Search
• Editor's Pick

Privacy Breach During School Committee Meeting Could Explain Delay in Greer Contract Talks

Pro-Palestine Harvard Students Occupy Harvard Yard on First Day of Encampment

Pro-Palestine Encampment Represents First Major Test for Harvard President Alan Garber

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Condemns Antisemitism at U.S. Colleges Amid Encampment at Harvard

‘A Joke’: Nikole Hannah-Jones Says Harvard Should Spend More on Legacy of Slavery Initiative

HUA Problem Solving Team Has Yet to Convene After 2 Weeks

Two weeks after the Harvard Undergraduate Association began the process of forming a problem solving team and indefinitely postponed all student referenda — including the College-wide referendum on divestment from Israel — the team still has not set a time for its first meeting.

On April 12, two HUA officers filed a motion to create a problem solving team to “solve a dispute” over referenda guidelines, after the HUA approved a petition from the Palestine Solidarity Committee for a referendum on whether Harvard should divest from institutions with ties to Israel’s settlements and its war on Gaza. The creation of the team led to a delay in all HUA-held referenda.

The HUA’s announcement of the postponement of all referenda came under intense fire from the PSC, who protested the decision in a rally on April 13 and chanted outside the Smith Center: “Hey hey, ho ho, the HUA should let us vote.”

The process to start forming a problem-solving team began after the HUA received a petition appearing to parody the PSC petition from a group calling themselves “Are Harvard Students, Students Against Hate?”

Seven students were selected to serve on the problem solving team last Friday, according to a communication to the team obtained by The Crimson. A day before the team was finalized, the HUA had sent out an email to the undergraduate student body inviting students to apply to be randomly selected for the team.

Now, with Harvard’s recent suspension of the PSC and pro-Palestine organizers currently encamped in Harvard Yard to protest the suspension, the problem solving team may face additional complications in deciding the fate of a referendum initiated by a suspended student organization.

More than 500 Harvard affiliates gathered in Harvard Yard for an emergency protest of the PSC’s suspension at noon on Wednesday, as a smaller group of protesters began putting up the encampment.

On Tuesday, former HUA co-treasurer and Crimson Editorial editor Josh A. Kaplan ’26 circulated a “charge sheet” document to the problem solving team.

It is unclear why the communication came from Kaplan, whose term as HUA co-treasurer ended on April 20 and who did not respond to a request for comment.

According to the document, the team's recommendations should be sent to HUA’s executive officers, headed by newly elected co-presidents Ashley C. Adirika ’26 and Jonathan Haileselassie ’26.

According to the document, HUA executive officers believed a potential interpretation of the HUA’s constitution indicates “a referendum cannot be held if the referendum asks for student feedback on Harvard issues that are outside the Harvard Undergraduate Association’s scope of governance.”

The document also states that “the HUA has received multiple questions addressing a variety of campus and global issues,” including “the usage of Harvard facilities, the names of Harvard College buildings, the Harvard University endowment, and other Harvard University schools.”

Under a heading titled “Your Charge,” the problem solving team is asked to provide recommendations to the HUA’s executive team on how to solve the constitutional dispute and “clearly define” the HUA’s constitutional process for all future referenda.

“The intent of this investigation is to clearly define the Constitutional process for the HUA Referendum process for future referendum,” the document says. “This Problem-Solving Team is directed to focus on the referendum process, not the content of the proposed referendum.”

—Staff writer Cam N. Srivastava can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X @camsrivastava .

Want to keep up with breaking news? Subscribe to our email newsletter.

• Current USC Employees
• Returning Candidates

Search all jobs

Areas Of Work Select Administrative Operations Auxiliary Services Faculty Human Resources Information Technology Keck Medicine of USC

Employment Type Select Faculty Full Time Faculty Part Time Staff Full Time Staff Part Time

Adjunct Position, Problem Solving with AI

The Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California seeks a highly qualified adjunct instructor to teach  JOUR 499: Problem Solving with AI. This course dives into real-time case studies that examine how AI tools are opening up new frontiers in newsrooms, writers’ rooms and boardrooms. 

Applicants should have at least three years’ experience working in a related field. Teaching experience is desirable. A strong candidate demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of current issues in the industry, including equity and inclusion in journalism.

Applicants should send a letter describing their background, interests and areas of expertise, and an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae through USC’s job site.

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is among the nation’s leading institutions devoted to the study of communication, journalism and public relations.  With an enrollment of 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, USC Annenberg scholars, both students and faculty, are defining these fields for the 21st century and beyond.

The hourly range for this position is $36.37 – $45.46. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, as well as external market and organizational considerations. USC reserves the “Adjunct” appointment for faculty teaching less than full-time at USC, who are employed full-time in a primary profession or career elsewhere. Adjunct faculty typically teach only one course per year, but in exceptional cases, may teach one course per semester, if approved by the dean. Applicants should send a letter describing their background, interests and areas of expertise, and an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae through the Careers at USC website.

Job matching

With just one click and a connection to LinkedIn, we can connect you with jobs that match your work experience.

Stay connected with University of Southern California

Sign up to receive job alerts

Job Category

Email Address

LinkedIn Profile

Confirm Email

Recently added jobs

• cGMP Program Administrator Los Angeles, California REQ20148166
• RN Clinical - 4S Cardiovascular Surgery/ Heart + Lung Transplant ICU - Full Time 12 Hour Nights (Non-Exempt) (Union) Los Angeles, California REQ20146453
• RN Clinical - 4S Cardiovascular Surgery/Heart + Lung Transplant ICU - Full Time 12 Hour Nights (Non-Exempt) (Union) Los Angeles, California REQ20146449

Staff jobs for current employees

Please visit the Career Worklet on the Workday Homepage and select “Find Jobs” to view USC Jobs.

(If you’re not currently a USC employee, click here to view USC jobs)

• Entertainment
• Rex Reed Reviews
• Awards Shows
• Climate Change
• Restaurants
• Gift Guides
• Business of Art
• Nightlife & Dining
• About Observer
• Advertise With Us

SevenRooms CEO Joel Montaniel Is Solving the Hospitality Industry’s Data Problem

Sevenrooms ceo joel montaniel speaks about how his crm company helps restaurants redefine their relationship with customers..

Joel Montaniel ’s SevenRooms is more than just another restaurant reservation system. “If you ask a restaurant, ‘What are your top 10, your top 25, and your top 50 customers?’ There are 15 million restaurants on the planet and 14.95 million of them can’t answer that question today,” Montaniel tells Observer. So, SevenRooms set out to solve that problem—by offering a suite of tools that empower restaurants and other types of hospitality operators to take full control and make the best use of their customer data. 

Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter

Thank you for signing up!

By clicking submit, you agree to our <a rel="nofollow noreferer" href="http://observermedia.com/terms">terms of service</a> and acknowledge we may use your information to send you emails, product samples, and promotions on this website and other properties. You can opt out anytime.

“Basically what Shopify has been doing for retail is what we’re doing for restaurants,” Montaniel explained. “We help restaurants do three things: make money, build relationships with their customers, and then streamline their operations.” Montaniel, a former investment banker and real estate investor, founded SevenRooms in 2011 with his childhood friend Kinesh Patel and former Credit Suisse (CS) colleague Allison Page . Inspired by the   former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter ‘s “seven rooms theory,” the company aspires to create spaces where patrons feel at home, regardless of the venue’s exclusivity. From high-end establishments to smaller independent eateries, SevenRooms caters to a diverse range of hospitality operators, boasting an impressive clientele of more than 11,000 hospitality operators around the world.

Montaniel was named on Observer’s 2023 Nightlife + Dining Power List. We interviewed him earlier this month about SevenRooms’ founding story, his journey of finding the right business model, and the broader landscape of the hospitality industry amid high inflation and shifting consumer behavior. The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Observer: How did you meet your co-founders and how did the idea of SevenRooms come about? 

Joel Montaniel: There are three of us. One of them, our CTO, Kinesh, I grew up with in Texas, so we’ve known each other since we were 10 years old. My other co-founder, Alison, and I met at our first jobs out of school—we were investment banking analysts and shared a cubicle wall.

At first, our idea was to solve a consumer problem and try to make it easier for consumers to go to these exclusive places. We launched a website in 2009 and it failed miserably. W hat we learned was that there actually was a bigger problem to solve. When we looked at the systems that hospitality operators were using, they didn’t have any customer data. So, we switched over from thinking about the consumer to thinking about the restaurant or the operator. We found that by solving that problem and giving them the technology that can help them understand their customers, that could then translate into an amazing customer experience, which is what we were trying to solve in the first place.

Before diving into the SevenRooms we know today, in retrospect, why do you think your original idea “failed miserably?”

I think we weren’t solving a real problem at that point in time, and I don’t think the world was ready for something like that. I remember talking to a restaurant and they told us point blank, “We sell dinner here, we don’t sell the right to have dinner.” 

We learned that we shouldn’t be solving things that we think are cool. We should work on things that actually create real value based on problems that we’ve experienced ourselves or problems that the industry talked to us about.

How would you describe SevenRooms’s core products and services? 

The way we think about ourselves is basically what Shopify is doing for retail is what we’re doing for restaurants. At the center is CRM—that is guest data. Then, there’s operations marketing, and commerce that sit on top of it. We work with restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues. We help them do three things: make money, build relationships with their customers, and streamline their operations.

What was the traditional approach to achieving those three objectives and what innovation and value does SevenRooms provide?

The traditional approach would have been to use a reservation system. In the U.S., that means using an OpenTable or a Resy system, for example. Those systems are really good at bringing customers in. But what hospitality operators haven’t really made as much investment in is the guest database and marketing tools. All of the guest information would be stored in their heads. 

If you ask a restaurant, “What are your top 10, your top 25, and your top 50 customers?” There are 15 million restaurants on the planet and 14.95 million of them can’t answer that question today, because restaurants don’t have the customer data, they’re not really doing retention marketing. 

On your website, it says the company’s name was inspired by the “seven rooms theory.” Can you explain what that is and why it’s a fitting name for your company?

We believe technology is more than just transactional, and so we wanted to find a name that is about helping companies build relationships with people. W e stumbled across this theory by the former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter called “the seven rooms theory.” It says that, in New York, there are seven interconnected rooms, each one more exclusive than the one before it. It suggests that when you think you’re at the top spot and the best place, there’s always another room that you don’t have access to that you haven’t discovered yet.

It hit the nail on the head for us where, you know, the seventh room is not about exclusivity; it’s about the place you go to where you feel most at home. For one of us, it might be a coffee shop, and for another one of us, it might be a bar. That captures the essence of what we want to do, which is we’re in business to help restaurants and hospitality operators make their guests feel at home. 

What types of hospitality operators does SevenRooms work with?

At the very beginning, we were working with more higher-end restaurants and nightclubs. These were places that want to make people feel special. One of the very first customers we had was Tao Group Hospitality in New York. Another really early customer was LDV Hospitality, which owns Scarpetta and other places. They were super helpful in helping us understand the technology and what customer information mattered.

But today, we are in every size and dollar amount. We have over 11,000 restaurants using the platform.  We power 80 percent of Las Vegas today, so all of MGM, Wynn, Cosmo and Venetian. We have everything from big hotel groups like Marriott to small, independent restaurants. And we have everything from inexpensive to $200-plus per person. As an example, 40 percent of our customers are under $50 per person and 9 percent are under $25. 

Covid-19 and high inflation for the past two years have changed consumer behavior in many ways. What are some of the emerging trends you’ve observed in hospitality?

Hospitality has been resilient overall. Sales are roughly flat, but they’re not going down. People are going out a little bit more, but they’re spending a little bit less.

We will continue to see that trend, which I think is largely driven by an older demographic that has a lot of disposable income. They’re spending money on travel and they’re going out to eat. Then you have a younger generation that is all about the experiences, all about Instagram and TikTok. The reason I think restaurants are really taking off is that they’re the new kind of social currency, and people are posting about food, restaurants and even dinner reservations on social media. I’m finding that food and experiences are central to both the younger generation and the older generation. 

• SEE ALSO : FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel Supports TikTok Ban, Calls Lack of Oversight ‘Stunning’

We noticed you're using an ad blocker.

We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience. But advertising revenue helps support our journalism. To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker. We'd really appreciate it.

How Do I Whitelist Observer?

Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser:

For Adblock:

Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain .

For Adblock Plus on Google Chrome:

Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site.

For Adblock Plus on Firefox:

Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com.