Which problem vs What problem

Both 'which problem' and 'what problem' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Which problem' is used when there is a specific set of problems to choose from, while 'what problem' is more general and can be used when the specific problems are not known.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

Which problem

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use 'which problem' when you are selecting from a specific set of problems that are known or have been previously mentioned.

Examples:

I have three math problems to solve. Which problem should I start with?

Show examples from the web [+]

Which problem do you deal with first?
That reference to remuneration should have appeared in recitals 5 and 12, in Article 1 and elsewhere, to make it absolutely clear which problem was being addressed.
If the Initiative is renewed after 2006, the Commission should launch a study to ascertain which problems are caused by the existence of a border.
Which problems (financial or technical) have been identified by these controls in each case so far? 2.
Naturally, there is the question of which problems will arise for industry with continued use of REACH.
This is a debate in which problems of both procedure and substance have arisen.
The rules according to which problems are solved today are from before the Internet era, when the Union had six Member States inhabited by sedentary citizens.
It is, however, clear that the ease with which problems can be tackled depend to some extent on Commission has, therefore, asked Parliament and Council in Article 3(2) whether this should be taken into account.
But I never expected, after the publishing of the Green Paper in which problems were identified without attempting to solve them, that we might truly benefit from an orientation, a response, to the numerous problems evoked in Mr Martens report.
Everyone is saying that you cannot just talk about terrorism and about traditional security problems: you must also examine the way in which problems relating to energy security and climate threat are important to our security agenda.
There are many cases nowadays in relation to which problems are arising, problems that go by the name of relocation, non-compliance with trade union agreements, and job losses.
The following areas were mentioned in response to the open question of which problems particularly needed highlighting: the lack of harmonisation in the social sphere (including admission to vocations and trades) and the ensuing inequality of treatment was the most frequently mentioned.
Monetary policy, in particular EMU policy, cannot alone resolve the difficulties of integrated global markets, in which problems spread from market to market in real time in a domino effect.
What is the Commission's opinion of the way in which problems have developed with the pilot facility for storage in salt?
Is the Commission aware of other cases in which problems have occurred in connection with recognition of the licence to practise?
It is essential to conduct an in-depth analysis of these subjects in order to fully understand which problems caused this crisis and how to rectify them in order to prevent them from happening again.
It is vital that the Commission and the Commissioner in person cooperate with the authorities in the countries from which problems have emanated;I refer, of course, both to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and to Serbia.
There are many problems to which the problem of mothers' health belongs.
Another problem, which has been completely overlooked, and which is under the extremely roomy carpet under which problems are swept, is the question of the reliability of the progress reports.
This is a situation which causes problems of access to generic medicinal products.

Alternatives:

which issue
which challenge
which dilemma
which question
which task

What problem

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use 'what problem' when the specific problems are not known or when asking for a general identification of a problem.