a broad issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a topic or problem that is wide-ranging or encompasses many aspects. Example: "Climate change is a broad issue that affects various sectors, including agriculture, health, and energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

If a news story does run and run, it's usually because it's a broad issue (the ailing economy, corporate tax avoidance, extreme weather, the Church of England's sexual difficulties) that keeps returning in a different form.

Independent

A broad issue faced by all development groups publishing to IATI is that there is a general lack of clear guidance and support for them as they go through the process.

The Guardian

After all, the sector is such a broad issue with so much internal variation, and it is probably not suitable as an ideal measurement of context.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Charlie Rose: You know, there's this issue as a broad issue of where we are: exit strategies.

Huffington Post

Adding complexity, officials say, is the fact that during a 2012 attempt to restore the river's flow, water seeped onto a farmer's field, destroying his tomato crop, a broad issue that has plagued the project.

Los Angeles Times

Findings and Conclusions: a) Brief summary of programmes 'Violence' is a broad issue with many overlapping features and characteristics, as defined by Article 19 of the UN CRC (1989) and related articles.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But there is a broader issue.

The Economist

There is a broader issue, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a broader issue beyond the political blame game.

The New York Times

Justice William O. Douglas, in a dissent, addressed a broader issue.

The New York Times

But this is a broader issue for games research.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a broad issue", ensure that the subsequent context provides specific examples or subtopics to clarify the scope of the issue being discussed. This helps avoid vagueness and provides a clearer understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad issue" without providing concrete examples or specific aspects of the issue. Without further clarification, it can come across as vague and uninformative. For example, instead of saying "Education is a broad issue", specify what aspects of education you're addressing, such as "access to education", "quality of education", or "funding for education".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples confirm that it introduces a topic of wide scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad issue" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to introduce a wide-ranging topic or problem. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various contexts, with a high frequency in news and media. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide specific examples or subtopics to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. While "a broad issue" can be replaced by alternatives like "a wide-ranging subject" or "a general concern", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally well-received and can enhance your written and spoken communication when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide-ranging subject

Replaces 'issue' with 'subject' and 'broad' with 'wide-ranging', emphasizing the scope of the topic.

a comprehensive matter

Substitutes 'broad' with 'comprehensive' and 'issue' with 'matter', highlighting the thoroughness of the concern.

an extensive topic

Replaces 'broad' with 'extensive', emphasizing the breadth of the topic.

a general concern

Uses 'general' instead of 'broad' and 'concern' instead of 'issue', simplifying the phrasing.

a widespread problem

Replaces 'issue' with 'problem' and 'broad' with 'widespread', framing it as a prevalent difficulty.

a significant challenge

Changes the focus to a 'challenge' rather than an 'issue', emphasizing the difficulty involved.

an overarching theme

Replaces 'issue' with 'theme' and 'broad' with 'overarching', suggesting a dominant or unifying idea.

a prevalent question

Substitutes 'issue' with 'question' and 'broad' with 'prevalent', indicating a commonly asked or debated topic.

a far-reaching effect

Shifts the focus to the impact rather than the issue itself, highlighting the extensive consequences.

a global perspective

Emphasizes a worldwide view instead of a specific issue, suggesting a broad scope but with a focus on perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "a broad issue" in a sentence?

You can use "a broad issue" to introduce a wide-ranging topic or problem that needs to be addressed. For example, "Climate change is "a broad issue" affecting global economies and ecosystems."

What are some alternatives to saying "a broad issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a wide-ranging topic", "a comprehensive matter", or "a general concern" depending on the context.

What does it mean to describe something as "a broad issue"?

Describing something as "a broad issue" means it's a topic or problem that encompasses many different aspects and subtopics, requiring a wide range of considerations and potential solutions.

Is it better to use "a broad issue" or "a specific problem" in my writing?

It depends on your purpose. Use "a broad issue" when you want to introduce a general topic. Use "a specific problem" when you want to focus on a particular aspect or challenge within that broader issue.