diff --git a/.lintr b/.lintr
index 5fb827f3..df10b48b 100644
--- a/.lintr
+++ b/.lintr
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-linters: with_defaults(
+linters: linters_with_defaults(
     line_length_linter(120),
     T_and_F_symbol_linter,
     absolute_path_linter,
     nonportable_path_linter,
-    semicolon_terminator_linter,
+    semicolon_linter,
     undesirable_operator_linter
   )
diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index 664488f6..1408974d 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -2,27 +2,29 @@
 
 S3method(format,tblcheck_problem)
 S3method(print,tblcheck_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_grade,default)
-S3method(tblcheck_grade,list)
-S3method(tblcheck_grade,tblcheck_internal_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_grade,tblcheck_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,class_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,default)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,dimensions_n_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,dimensions_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,groups_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,length_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,levels_n_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,levels_order_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,levels_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,levels_reversed_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,names_order_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,names_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,ncol_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,not_table_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,nrow_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,tblcheck_problem)
-S3method(tblcheck_message,values_problem)
+S3method(problem_grade,default)
+S3method(problem_grade,gradethis_problem)
+S3method(problem_grade,list)
+S3method(problem_grade,tblcheck_internal_problem)
+S3method(problem_grade,tblcheck_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,class_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,default)
+S3method(problem_message,dimensions_n_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,dimensions_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,gradethis_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,groups_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,length_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,levels_n_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,levels_order_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,levels_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,levels_reversed_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,names_order_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,names_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,ncol_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,not_table_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,nrow_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,tblcheck_problem)
+S3method(problem_message,values_problem)
 export("%>%")
 export(.result)
 export(.solution)
@@ -31,6 +33,9 @@ export(grade_this_table)
 export(grade_this_vector)
 export(is_problem)
 export(is_tblcheck_problem)
+export(problem)
+export(problem_grade)
+export(problem_message)
 export(problem_type)
 export(tbl_check)
 export(tbl_check_class)
@@ -49,6 +54,7 @@ export(tbl_grade_is_table)
 export(tbl_grade_names)
 export(tbl_grade_table)
 export(tblcheck_grade)
+export(tblcheck_message)
 export(vec_check)
 export(vec_check_class)
 export(vec_check_dimensions)
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 5085ce48..5ed67985 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@
   - Messages now only suggest using the functions `group_by()`, `ungroup()` and `rowwise()` if both `object` and `expected` are `data.frame`s (#119).
   - Messages now describe non-atomic variables with length > 1 as "objects", not "vectors" (#122).
 
+* `problem()` and `problem_message()` are now exported functions. The first helps other packages create problem objects and the second is a generic method that can be used to turn a problem object into a human readable description (#124).
+
+## Deprecated Functions
+
+* `tblcheck_grade()` is now called `problem_grade()`. The old function name will continue to work, but a deprecation warning will prompt you to update to `problem_grade()` (#124).
+
 # tblcheck 0.1.3
 
 * Add `tolerance` argument to `vec_*_values()` (#111).
diff --git a/R/assert.R b/R/assert.R
index 3307bf52..dea322de 100644
--- a/R/assert.R
+++ b/R/assert.R
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ return_if_internal_problem <- function(expr, ..., env = parent.frame()) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_grade.tblcheck_internal_problem <- function(
+problem_grade.tblcheck_internal_problem <- function(
   problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
 ) {
   # move error up to top-level of grade
diff --git a/R/check_class.R b/R/check_class.R
index e300a4d2..80e7a280 100644
--- a/R/check_class.R
+++ b/R/check_class.R
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ tbl_check_class <- function(
       exp_class,
       obj_class,
       # Object lengths are stored so the correct pluralization
-      # can be applied in tblcheck_message.class_problem()
+      # can be applied in problem_message.class_problem()
       expected_length = length(expected),
       actual_length = length(object)
     )
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ tbl_grade_class <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check_class(object, expected, ignore_class, env),
     env = env,
     ...
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ tbl_grade_class <- function(
 vec_grade_class <- tbl_grade_class
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.class_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.class_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$msg <- problem$msg %||%
       "Your `{column}` column should be {expected}, but it is {actual}."
diff --git a/R/check_column.R b/R/check_column.R
index 60ed83bc..e9b9487a 100644
--- a/R/check_column.R
+++ b/R/check_column.R
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ tbl_grade_column <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check_column(
       column = column,
       object = object,
diff --git a/R/check_dimensions.R b/R/check_dimensions.R
index 06be3ad7..11f88447 100644
--- a/R/check_dimensions.R
+++ b/R/check_dimensions.R
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ tbl_grade_dimensions <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check_dimensions(object, expected, check_ncol = check_ncol, env = env),
     env = env,
     ...
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ vec_grade_dimensions <- tbl_grade_dimensions
 vec_grade_length <- tbl_grade_dimensions
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.dimensions_n_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.dimensions_n_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$exp_msg <- problem$exp_msg %||%
       ngettext(
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ tblcheck_message.dimensions_n_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.length_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.length_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   problem$value_msg <- ""
 
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ tblcheck_message.length_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.ncol_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.ncol_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$exp_msg <- problem$exp_msg %||%
       ngettext(
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ tblcheck_message.ncol_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.nrow_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.nrow_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$exp_msg <- problem$exp_msg %||%
       ngettext(
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ tblcheck_message.nrow_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.dimensions_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.dimensions_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$msg <- problem$exp_msg %||%
       gettext("Your `{column}` column should be an array with dimensions {expected}, but it has dimensions {actual}.")
diff --git a/R/check_groups.R b/R/check_groups.R
index 6f6a32c5..323f3ce5 100644
--- a/R/check_groups.R
+++ b/R/check_groups.R
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ tbl_grade_groups <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check_groups(object, expected, env = env),
     max_diffs = max_diffs,
     env = env,
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ tbl_grade_groups <- function(
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.groups_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
+problem_message.groups_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "table")) {
     problem$missing_msg <- problem$missing_msg %||%
       gettext("Your table should be grouped by {missing}. ")
diff --git a/R/check_is_table.R b/R/check_is_table.R
index a4f51e86..0e1412c9 100644
--- a/R/check_is_table.R
+++ b/R/check_is_table.R
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ tbl_grade_is_table <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check_is_table(object, env),
     env = env,
     ...
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ tbl_grade_is_table <- function(
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.not_table_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.not_table_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   problem$msg <- problem$msg %||%
     "Your result should be a table, but it is {actual}."
 
diff --git a/R/check_levels.R b/R/check_levels.R
index 7e904755..ee49556c 100644
--- a/R/check_levels.R
+++ b/R/check_levels.R
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ vec_grade_levels <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     vec_check_levels(object, expected, env = env),
     max_diffs = max_diffs,
     env = env,
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ vec_grade_levels <- function(
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.levels_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
+problem_message.levels_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$missing_msg <- problem$missing_msg %||%
       ngettext(
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ tblcheck_message.levels_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.levels_n_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.levels_n_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$exp_msg <- problem$exp_msg %||%
       ngettext(
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ tblcheck_message.levels_n_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.levels_reversed_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+problem_message.levels_reversed_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$msg <- problem$msg %||%
       gettext("The order of the levels in your `{column}` column are the reverse of the expected order.")
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ tblcheck_message.levels_reversed_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.levels_order_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
+problem_message.levels_order_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$msg <- problem$msg %||%
       "Your `{column}` column's levels were not in the expected order. "
diff --git a/R/check_names.R b/R/check_names.R
index 3588d576..df1f9e97 100644
--- a/R/check_names.R
+++ b/R/check_names.R
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ tbl_grade_names <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check_names(object, expected, check_order = check_order, env = env),
     max_diffs = max_diffs,
     env = env,
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ tbl_grade_names <- function(
 vec_grade_names <- tbl_grade_names
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.names_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
+problem_message.names_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
     problem$missing_msg <- problem$missing_msg %||%
       ngettext(
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ tblcheck_message.names_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.names_order_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
+problem_message.names_order_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   problem$n_values <- min(
     max(length(problem$expected), length(problem$actual)),
     max_diffs
diff --git a/R/check_table.R b/R/check_table.R
index 53f7adaf..7cfab0db 100644
--- a/R/check_table.R
+++ b/R/check_table.R
@@ -152,12 +152,12 @@ tbl_check <- function(
       tbl_check_class(object, expected, ignore_class),
       prefix = "table"
     )
-  } else (
+  } else {
     return_if_problem(
       tbl_check_is_table(object),
       prefix = "table"
     )
-  )
+  }
 
   # filter columns in object and expected ----
   cols <- rlang::enexpr(cols)
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ tbl_grade <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     tbl_check(
       object = object,
       expected = expected,
diff --git a/R/check_values.R b/R/check_values.R
index 4db7d8a7..c8478d16 100644
--- a/R/check_values.R
+++ b/R/check_values.R
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ vec_grade_values <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     vec_check_values(
       object = object,
       expected = expected,
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ vec_grade_values <- function(
 }
 
 #' @export
-tblcheck_message.values_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
+problem_message.values_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   # If values problem is empty, return vague message
   if (is.null(problem$actual) && is.null(problem$expected)) {
     if (is_problem(problem, "column")) {
@@ -215,5 +215,5 @@ tblcheck_message.values_problem <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, ...) {
   }
 
   # If all else fails, return vague message
-  tblcheck_message(problem("values"))
+  problem_message(problem("values"))
 }
diff --git a/R/check_vector.R b/R/check_vector.R
index 800002ce..39d790b1 100644
--- a/R/check_vector.R
+++ b/R/check_vector.R
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ vec_grade <- function(
   env = parent.frame(),
   ...
 ) {
-  tblcheck_grade(
+  problem_grade(
     vec_check(
       object = object,
       expected = expected,
diff --git a/R/deprecated.R b/R/deprecated.R
index 75558710..080dee4f 100644
--- a/R/deprecated.R
+++ b/R/deprecated.R
@@ -134,3 +134,25 @@ vec_grade_vector <- function(
     ...
   )
 }
+
+#' Deprecated Generics
+#'
+#' These generics are now deprecated.
+#'
+#' @keywords internal
+#' @name deprecated-methods
+NULL
+
+#' @describeIn deprecated-methods is now [problem_grade()].
+#' @export
+tblcheck_grade <- function(problem, ...) {
+  lifecycle::deprecate_soft("0.2.0", "tblcheck_grade()", "problem_grade()")
+  problem_grade(problem, ...)
+}
+
+#' @describeIn deprecated-methods is now [problem_message()].
+#' @export
+tblcheck_message <- function(problem, ...) {
+  lifecycle::deprecate_soft("0.2.0", "tblcheck_message()", "problem_message()")
+  problem_message(problem, ...)
+}
diff --git a/R/grade.R b/R/grade.R
deleted file mode 100644
index 62253cb7..00000000
--- a/R/grade.R
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,95 +0,0 @@
-#' Apply automatic grading to a problem object
-#'
-#' @param problem A problem generated by a `tbl_check_*()` function.
-#' @inheritParams tbl_check
-#' @param env The environment used for grading.
-#' @inheritDotParams gradethis::fail -message
-#'
-#' @return A [gradethis::fail()] message or `NULL` invisibly.
-#' @export
-#'
-#' @examples
-#' .result <- 1:10
-#' .solution <- letters[1:10]
-#' problem <- vec_check()
-#' tblcheck_grade(problem)
-tblcheck_grade <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...) {
-  UseMethod("tblcheck_grade")
-}
-
-#' @rdname tblcheck_grade
-#' @export
-tblcheck_grade.default <- function(
-  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
-) {
-  invisible()
-}
-
-#' @rdname tblcheck_grade
-#' @export
-tblcheck_grade.list <- function(
-  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
-) {
-  problem <- as_problem(problem)
-  tblcheck_grade(problem, max_diffs = max_diffs, env = env, ...)
-}
-
-#' @rdname tblcheck_grade
-#' @export
-tblcheck_grade.tblcheck_problem <- function(
-  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
-) {
-  if (is.null(problem)) {
-    return(invisible())
-  }
-
-  err <- catch_internal_problem(
-    checkmate::assert_number(max_diffs, lower = 1),
-    call = find_tblcheck_call()
-  )
-
-  if (is_problem(err)) {
-    return(tblcheck_grade(err))
-  }
-
-  gradethis::fail(
-    tblcheck_message(problem, max_diffs = max_diffs),
-    problem = problem,
-    env = env,
-    ...
-  )
-}
-
-tblcheck_message <- function(problem, ...) {
-  UseMethod("tblcheck_message")
-}
-
-#' @export
-tblcheck_message.default <- function(problem, ...) {
-  invisible()
-}
-
-#' @export
-tblcheck_message.tblcheck_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
-  type_msg <- if (!is.null(problem$type)) {
-    gettext("Your code resulted in a `{type}` problem. ")
-  } else {
-    ""
-  }
-
-  exp_msg <- if (!is.null(problem$expected)) {
-    expected <- paste(md_code(problem$expected), collapse = ", ")
-    gettext("I was expecting a value of {expected}. ")
-  } else {
-    ""
-  }
-
-  obj_msg <- if (!is.null(problem$actual)) {
-    actual <- paste(md_code(problem$actual), collapse = ", ")
-    gettext("Your result gave a value of `{actual}`. ")
-  } else {
-    ""
-  }
-
-  glue::glue_data(problem, type_msg, exp_msg, obj_msg)
-}
diff --git a/R/problem.R b/R/problem.R
index 961cc653..f9388ed0 100644
--- a/R/problem.R
+++ b/R/problem.R
@@ -3,19 +3,44 @@
 #' Useful for constructing a small list to communicate the problem that was
 #' discovered during checking.
 #'
+#' @examples
+#' problem(
+#'   type = "class",
+#'   expected = "character",
+#'   actual = "numeric",
+#'   expected_length = 1,
+#'   actual_length = 2
+#' )
+#'
 #' @param type A character string, e.g. `column_values` or `table_rows`, that
 #'   describes the problem that was discovered.
 #' @param expected,actual The expected and actual values. These should be
 #'   included when the value is a summary, e.g. `nrow(expected)` or
 #'   `length(actual)`. Be careful not to include large amounts of data.
 #' @param ... Additional elements to be included in the `problem` object.
+#' @param .class The class of the problem. Typically, we expect the problem
+#'   class to be `<type>_problem`, but if you are building custom classes you
+#'   may set these classes as desired.
+#'
+#' @return Returns a problem with class `<type>_problem` and the base classes
+#'   `tblcheck_problem` and `gradethis_problem`.
 #'
-#' @keywords internal
-#' @noRd
+#' @family Problem functions
+#' @export
 problem <- function(
-  type, expected = NULL, actual = NULL, ...
+  type,
+  expected = NULL,
+  actual = NULL,
+  ...,
+  .class = c(paste0(type, "_problem"), "tblcheck_problem")
 ) {
   checkmate::assert_string(type, min.chars = 1)
+  if (!checkmate::test_character(.class, pattern = "^[[:alpha:]][[:alnum:]_.]*$")) {
+    rlang::abort(
+      "`.class` must be a character vector of valid R class names",
+      class = "error_problem_class"
+    )
+  }
 
   problem <- list(
     type = type,
@@ -26,7 +51,7 @@ problem <- function(
 
   structure(
     purrr::compact(problem),
-    class = c(paste0(type, "_problem"), "tblcheck_problem", "gradethis_problem")
+    class = unique(c(.class, "gradethis_problem"))
   )
 }
 
@@ -64,6 +89,11 @@ return_if_problem <- function(
 #' If `type` is specified, `is_problem()` and `is_tblcheck_problem()` test
 #' whether an object is a problem of the specified type.
 #'
+#' @examples
+#' problem_type(vec_check(1, "1"))
+#' is_problem(vec_check(1, "1"), "vector_class")
+#' is_tblcheck_problem(vec_check(1, "1"), "class")
+#'
 #' @param x An object
 #' @param type `[character(1)]`\cr A `problem` type
 #'
@@ -71,12 +101,9 @@ return_if_problem <- function(
 #'   of length 1.
 #'   `problem_type()` returns a [character] of length 1.
 #'   `as_problem()` returns a `tblcheck_problem`.
-#' @export
 #'
-#' @examples
-#' problem_type(vec_check(1, "1"))
-#' is_problem(vec_check(1, "1"), "vector_class")
-#' is_tblcheck_problem(vec_check(1, "1"), "class")
+#' @family Problem functions
+#' @export
 problem_type <- function(x) {
   if (is_problem(x)) {
     return(x$type)
@@ -88,34 +115,43 @@ problem_type <- function(x) {
 #' @rdname problem_type
 #' @export
 is_problem <- function(x, type = NULL) {
-  inherits(x, "gradethis_problem") && (
-    is.null(type) || inherits(x, paste0(type, "_problem"))
-  )
+  if (!inherits(x, "gradethis_problem")) return(FALSE)
+  if (is.null(type)) return(TRUE)
+  inherits(x, c(type, paste0(type, "_problem")))
 }
 
 #' @rdname problem_type
 #' @export
 is_tblcheck_problem <- function(x, type = NULL) {
-  inherits(x, "tblcheck_problem") && (
-    is.null(type) || inherits(x, paste0(type, "_problem"))
-  )
+  if (!inherits(x, "tblcheck_problem")) return(FALSE)
+  if (is.null(type)) return(TRUE)
+  # tblcheck problem classes always are "<type>_problem"
+  inherits(x, paste0(type, "_problem"))
 }
 
 #' @rdname problem_type
 #' @export
 as_problem <- function(x) {
   checkmate::assert_list(x)
-  class(x) <- c("tblcheck_problem", "gradethis_problem")
 
-  if (!is.null(x$location)) {
-    class(x) <- c(paste0(x$location, "_problem"), class(x))
+  if (!is.null(x$location) && !is.null(x$type) && is.null(x$.class)) {
+    # this is probably a tblcheck problem as a list
+    x$.class <- c(
+      paste0(c(x$type, x$location), "_problem"),
+      "tblcheck_problem",
+      "gradethis_problem"
+    )
   }
 
-  if (!is.null(problem_type(x))) {
-    class(x) <- c(paste0(problem_type(x), "_problem"), class(x))
-  }
-
-  x
+  tryCatch(
+    rlang::eval_bare(rlang::call2("problem", !!!x)),
+    error_problem_class = function(err) {
+      rlang::abort(
+        "Please set `.class` for your list, see `?problem()` for details",
+        parent = err
+      )
+    }
+  )
 }
 
 #' @export
@@ -127,5 +163,5 @@ print.tblcheck_problem <- function(x, ...) {
 
 #' @export
 format.tblcheck_problem <- function(x, ...) {
-  tblcheck_message(x, ...)
+  problem_message(x, ...)
 }
diff --git a/R/problem_grade.R b/R/problem_grade.R
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..32e94037
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/problem_grade.R
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+#' Apply automatic grading to a problem object
+#'
+#' Automatically converts a [problem()] object into a \pkg{gradethis} grade.
+#' `problem_grade()` is an S4 generic and \pkg{tblcheck} provides an internal
+#' method for problems with class `"tblcheck_problem"`. In \pkg{tblcheck}, or
+#' for problems with this class, any problems are automatically turned into
+#' failing grades with [gradethis::fail()] and using the message provided by
+#' [problem_message()].
+#'
+#' @examples
+#' .result <- 1:10
+#' .solution <- letters[1:10]
+#' problem <- vec_check()
+#' problem_grade(problem)
+#'
+#' @param problem A problem generated by [tbl_check()], [vec_check()] or their
+#'   related helper functions.
+#' @inheritParams tbl_check
+#' @param env The environment used for grading.
+#' @inheritDotParams gradethis::fail -message
+#'
+#' @return A [gradethis::fail()] message or `NULL` invisibly.
+#'
+#' @family Problem functions
+#' @export
+problem_grade <- function(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...) {
+  UseMethod("problem_grade")
+}
+
+#' @rdname problem_grade
+#' @export
+problem_grade.default <- function(
+  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
+) {
+  invisible()
+}
+
+#' @rdname problem_grade
+#' @export
+problem_grade.list <- function(
+  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
+) {
+  problem <- as_problem(problem)
+  problem_grade(problem, max_diffs = max_diffs, env = env, ...)
+}
+
+#' @rdname problem_grade
+#' @export
+problem_grade.gradethis_problem <- function(
+  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
+) {
+  if (is.null(problem)) {
+    return(invisible())
+  }
+
+  err <- catch_internal_problem(
+    checkmate::assert_number(max_diffs, lower = 1),
+    call = find_tblcheck_call()
+  )
+
+  if (is_problem(err)) {
+    return(problem_grade(err))
+  }
+
+  gradethis::fail(
+    problem_message(problem, max_diffs = max_diffs),
+    problem = problem,
+    env = env,
+    ...
+  )
+}
+
+#' @rdname problem_grade
+#' @export
+problem_grade.tblcheck_problem <- function(
+  problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...
+) {
+  NextMethod()
+}
diff --git a/R/problem_message.R b/R/problem_message.R
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b8ded33b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/problem_message.R
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+#' Create a message from a problem object
+#'
+#' `problem_message()` is an S3 generic that powers the conversion of problems
+#' detected by [tbl_check()], [vec_check()], and their related helper functions
+#' into a human-readable message.
+#'
+#' @examples
+#' problem <- problem(
+#'   type = "class",
+#'   expected = "character",
+#'   actual = "numeric",
+#'   expected_length = 1,
+#'   actual_length = 2
+#' )
+#'
+#' problem_message(problem)
+#'
+#' @param problem An object with base class `gradethis_problem`. Problems
+#'   identified by \pkg{tblcheck} also include `tblcheck_problem`, plus
+#'   additional classes that more specifically identify the problem type.
+#' @param ... Additional arguments passed to the underlying methods.
+#'
+#' @return A length-1 character string with a message describing the problem.
+#'
+#' @family Problem functions
+#' @export
+problem_message <- function(problem, ...) {
+  UseMethod("problem_message")
+}
+
+#' @export
+problem_message.default <- function(problem, ...) {
+  invisible()
+}
+
+#' @export
+problem_message.gradethis_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+  type_msg <- if (!is.null(problem$type)) {
+    gettext("Your code resulted in a `{type}` problem. ")
+  } else {
+    ""
+  }
+
+  exp_msg <- if (!is.null(problem$expected)) {
+    expected <- paste(md_code(problem$expected), collapse = ", ")
+    gettext("I was expecting a value of {expected}. ")
+  } else {
+    ""
+  }
+
+  obj_msg <- if (!is.null(problem$actual)) {
+    actual <- paste(md_code(problem$actual), collapse = ", ")
+    gettext("Your result gave a value of `{actual}`. ")
+  } else {
+    ""
+  }
+
+  glue::glue_data(problem, type_msg, exp_msg, obj_msg)
+}
+
+#' @export
+problem_message.tblcheck_problem <- function(problem, ...) {
+  NextMethod()
+}
diff --git a/man/deprecated-methods.Rd b/man/deprecated-methods.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..64a97fae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/deprecated-methods.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/deprecated.R
+\name{deprecated-methods}
+\alias{deprecated-methods}
+\alias{tblcheck_grade}
+\alias{tblcheck_message}
+\title{Deprecated Generics}
+\usage{
+tblcheck_grade(problem, ...)
+
+tblcheck_message(problem, ...)
+}
+\description{
+These generics are now deprecated.
+}
+\section{Functions}{
+\itemize{
+\item \code{tblcheck_grade()}: is now \code{\link[=problem_grade]{problem_grade()}}.
+
+\item \code{tblcheck_message()}: is now \code{\link[=problem_message]{problem_message()}}.
+
+}}
+\keyword{internal}
diff --git a/man/grade_this_table.Rd b/man/grade_this_table.Rd
index 5a472ce4..2477f3af 100644
--- a/man/grade_this_table.Rd
+++ b/man/grade_this_table.Rd
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ with \code{\link[=tbl_check_dimensions]{tbl_check_dimensions()}}.}
 
 \item{check_groups}{\verb{[logical(1)]}\cr Whether to check that \code{object} and
 \code{expected} have the same \link[dplyr:group_by]{groups}
-with \code{\link[dplyr:group_data]{dplyr::group_vars()}}.}
+with \code{\link[dplyr:group_vars]{dplyr::group_vars()}}.}
 
 \item{check_columns}{\verb{[logical(1)]}\cr Whether to check that all columns
 have the same contents with \code{\link[=tbl_check_column]{tbl_check_column()}}.}
diff --git a/man/problem.Rd b/man/problem.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..37d6da56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/problem.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/problem.R
+\name{problem}
+\alias{problem}
+\title{Declare a problem}
+\usage{
+problem(
+  type,
+  expected = NULL,
+  actual = NULL,
+  ...,
+  .class = c(paste0(type, "_problem"), "tblcheck_problem")
+)
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{type}{A character string, e.g. \code{column_values} or \code{table_rows}, that
+describes the problem that was discovered.}
+
+\item{expected, actual}{The expected and actual values. These should be
+included when the value is a summary, e.g. \code{nrow(expected)} or
+\code{length(actual)}. Be careful not to include large amounts of data.}
+
+\item{...}{Additional elements to be included in the \code{problem} object.}
+
+\item{.class}{The class of the problem. Typically, we expect the problem
+class to be \verb{<type>_problem}, but if you are building custom classes you
+may set these classes as desired.}
+}
+\value{
+Returns a problem with class \verb{<type>_problem} and the base classes
+\code{tblcheck_problem} and \code{gradethis_problem}.
+}
+\description{
+Useful for constructing a small list to communicate the problem that was
+discovered during checking.
+}
+\examples{
+problem(
+  type = "class",
+  expected = "character",
+  actual = "numeric",
+  expected_length = 1,
+  actual_length = 2
+)
+
+}
+\seealso{
+Other Problem functions: 
+\code{\link{problem_grade}()},
+\code{\link{problem_message}()},
+\code{\link{problem_type}()}
+}
+\concept{Problem functions}
diff --git a/man/tblcheck_grade.Rd b/man/problem_grade.Rd
similarity index 54%
rename from man/tblcheck_grade.Rd
rename to man/problem_grade.Rd
index aec7b299..3c3d20ae 100644
--- a/man/tblcheck_grade.Rd
+++ b/man/problem_grade.Rd
@@ -1,22 +1,26 @@
 % Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/grade.R
-\name{tblcheck_grade}
-\alias{tblcheck_grade}
-\alias{tblcheck_grade.default}
-\alias{tblcheck_grade.list}
-\alias{tblcheck_grade.tblcheck_problem}
+% Please edit documentation in R/problem_grade.R
+\name{problem_grade}
+\alias{problem_grade}
+\alias{problem_grade.default}
+\alias{problem_grade.list}
+\alias{problem_grade.gradethis_problem}
+\alias{problem_grade.tblcheck_problem}
 \title{Apply automatic grading to a problem object}
 \usage{
-tblcheck_grade(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
+problem_grade(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
 
-\method{tblcheck_grade}{default}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
+\method{problem_grade}{default}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
 
-\method{tblcheck_grade}{list}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
+\method{problem_grade}{list}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
 
-\method{tblcheck_grade}{tblcheck_problem}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
+\method{problem_grade}{gradethis_problem}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
+
+\method{problem_grade}{tblcheck_problem}(problem, max_diffs = 3, env = parent.frame(), ...)
 }
 \arguments{
-\item{problem}{A problem generated by a \verb{tbl_check_*()} function.}
+\item{problem}{A problem generated by \code{\link[=tbl_check]{tbl_check()}}, \code{\link[=vec_check]{vec_check()}} or their
+related helper functions.}
 
 \item{max_diffs}{\verb{[numeric(1)]}\cr The maximum number of mismatched values to
 display in an informative failure message.
@@ -44,11 +48,24 @@ using \code{\link[gradethis:gradethis_setup]{gradethis_setup()}} or the \code{gr
 A \code{\link[gradethis:graded]{gradethis::fail()}} message or \code{NULL} invisibly.
 }
 \description{
-Apply automatic grading to a problem object
+Automatically converts a \code{\link[=problem]{problem()}} object into a \pkg{gradethis} grade.
+\code{problem_grade()} is an S4 generic and \pkg{tblcheck} provides an internal
+method for problems with class \code{"tblcheck_problem"}. In \pkg{tblcheck}, or
+for problems with this class, any problems are automatically turned into
+failing grades with \code{\link[gradethis:graded]{gradethis::fail()}} and using the message provided by
+\code{\link[=problem_message]{problem_message()}}.
 }
 \examples{
 .result <- 1:10
 .solution <- letters[1:10]
 problem <- vec_check()
-tblcheck_grade(problem)
+problem_grade(problem)
+
+}
+\seealso{
+Other Problem functions: 
+\code{\link{problem_message}()},
+\code{\link{problem_type}()},
+\code{\link{problem}()}
 }
+\concept{Problem functions}
diff --git a/man/problem_message.Rd b/man/problem_message.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8fcec286
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/problem_message.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/problem_message.R
+\name{problem_message}
+\alias{problem_message}
+\title{Create a message from a problem object}
+\usage{
+problem_message(problem, ...)
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{problem}{An object with base class \code{gradethis_problem}. Problems
+identified by \pkg{tblcheck} also include \code{tblcheck_problem}, plus
+additional classes that more specifically identify the problem type.}
+
+\item{...}{Additional arguments passed to the underlying methods.}
+}
+\value{
+A length-1 character string with a message describing the problem.
+}
+\description{
+\code{problem_message()} is an S3 generic that powers the conversion of problems
+detected by \code{\link[=tbl_check]{tbl_check()}}, \code{\link[=vec_check]{vec_check()}}, and their related helper functions
+into a human-readable message.
+}
+\examples{
+problem <- problem(
+  type = "class",
+  expected = "character",
+  actual = "numeric",
+  expected_length = 1,
+  actual_length = 2
+)
+
+problem_message(problem)
+
+}
+\seealso{
+Other Problem functions: 
+\code{\link{problem_grade}()},
+\code{\link{problem_type}()},
+\code{\link{problem}()}
+}
+\concept{Problem functions}
diff --git a/man/problem_type.Rd b/man/problem_type.Rd
index d596e23c..208e4b64 100644
--- a/man/problem_type.Rd
+++ b/man/problem_type.Rd
@@ -44,4 +44,12 @@ whether an object is a problem of the specified type.
 problem_type(vec_check(1, "1"))
 is_problem(vec_check(1, "1"), "vector_class")
 is_tblcheck_problem(vec_check(1, "1"), "class")
+
+}
+\seealso{
+Other Problem functions: 
+\code{\link{problem_grade}()},
+\code{\link{problem_message}()},
+\code{\link{problem}()}
 }
+\concept{Problem functions}
diff --git a/man/tbl_check.Rd b/man/tbl_check.Rd
index ce1ac3e6..2de59ce3 100644
--- a/man/tbl_check.Rd
+++ b/man/tbl_check.Rd
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ with \code{\link[=tbl_check_dimensions]{tbl_check_dimensions()}}.}
 
 \item{check_groups}{\verb{[logical(1)]}\cr Whether to check that \code{object} and
 \code{expected} have the same \link[dplyr:group_by]{groups}
-with \code{\link[dplyr:group_data]{dplyr::group_vars()}}.}
+with \code{\link[dplyr:group_vars]{dplyr::group_vars()}}.}
 
 \item{check_columns}{\verb{[logical(1)]}\cr Whether to check that all columns
 have the same contents with \code{\link[=tbl_check_column]{tbl_check_column()}}.}
diff --git a/pkgdown/_pkgdown.yml b/pkgdown/_pkgdown.yml
index 31f19d80..d0d389b5 100644
--- a/pkgdown/_pkgdown.yml
+++ b/pkgdown/_pkgdown.yml
@@ -96,5 +96,4 @@ reference:
     Inspect the contents of a `problem` from a
     check function or transform a `problem` into a grade.
   contents:
-  - '`tblcheck_grade`'
-  - '`problem_type`'
+  - starts_with("problem")
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-grade.R b/tests/testthat/test-grade.R
index 314a599f..8b4c0ae2 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test-grade.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-grade.R
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ test_that("grading", {
   .solution <- tibble::tibble(a = letters, b = a)
 
   tbl_grade <- tbl_grade()
-  problem_grade <- tblcheck_grade(tbl_check())
+  problem_grade <- problem_grade(tbl_check())
 
   expect_equal(tbl_grade, problem_grade)
 })
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ test_that("list grading", {
   .result   <- tibble::tibble(a = letters, b = a, c = a)
   .solution <- tibble::tibble(a = letters, b = a)
 
-  problem_grade <- tblcheck_grade(tbl_check())
-  list_grade <- tblcheck_grade(unclass(tbl_check()))
+  problem <- tbl_check()
+  problem_list <- unclass(problem)
 
-  expect_equal(problem_grade, list_grade)
+  expect_equal(problem_grade(problem), problem_grade(problem_list))
 })
diff --git a/vignettes/tblcheck.Rmd b/vignettes/tblcheck.Rmd
index 049ace1e..2c0d3adf 100644
--- a/vignettes/tblcheck.Rmd
+++ b/vignettes/tblcheck.Rmd
@@ -804,12 +804,12 @@ if (is_problem(problem, "values") && all.equal(problem$actual, c(3, 5))) {
 ```
 
 For problems not handled by your custom grading code, you can pass the problem to `tbl_grade()` to create a grade with the default feedback provided by tblcheck's `grade` functions.
-If there are no problems, `tblcheck_grade(problem)` won't return anything.
+If there are no problems, `problem_grade(problem)` won't return anything.
 
 Here's the default feedback `tbl_grade_column()` _would have returned_ without our custom grading code.
 
 ```{r custom-problem-ex-fallback}
-tblcheck_grade(problem)
+problem_grade(problem)
 ```
 
 **Tip**: You can also use `if` statements to ignore differences that you don't care about in your grading code.
@@ -829,7 +829,7 @@ if (is_problem(problem, "values") && all.equal(problem$actual, c(3, 5))) {
   fail(feedback)
 }
 
-tblcheck_grade(problem)
+problem_grade(problem)
 pass("Great job!")
 ```
 ````