a central issue is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central issue is" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when introducing a key topic or problem that is significant to the discussion. For example, "A central issue is the impact of climate change on global agriculture." Alternative expressions include "a key concern is," "a main point is," and "a crucial factor is."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A central issue is to find quantities which are monotone under the evolution.

Columbia University

Then a central issue is to determine an optimal vector of the so-called control points.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

A central issue is whether the "democratic representation" of states involves any questions of international law.

The Guardian - Opinion

A central issue is that C1 elements are required if no additional variables are to be defined.

Chemical Engineering Science

A central issue is the rules for imposing losses on a bank's creditors, rather than putting the burden on taxpayers.

The New York Times

A central issue is her assertion that she heard and saw nothing when her husband was shot.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

At Kyoto, a central issue was whether developing countries would be required to chip in on emissions cuts.

The New York Times - Science

In this sense, we believe that having water as a central issue was strongly strategic in that it intrinsically calls for a holistic approach to urbanism.

Columbia University

The episode dropped Monday, shortly before it was scheduled to appear, involved a child-custody case with a central issue being the mother's ownership of a handgun.

The New York Times

A central issue was the matter of prisoners, but the criticism covered his entire negotiating approach, which officials said was too indulgent of Israeli and American demands.

The New York Times

The candidates agreed that a central issue was how to apportion the budget surplus, which the Congressional Budget Office projects to total $4.56 trillion over the next 10 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a central issue is" to introduce the most important problem or topic in your discussion, ensuring it's clearly defined and relevant to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a central issue is" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a key concern is" or "the main problem is" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central issue is" functions as an introductory phrase to highlight the most important problem, topic, or question in a discussion. It sets the stage for further exploration of the subject. Ludwig examples confirm its role in presenting key points.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a central issue is" serves as a crucial tool for highlighting the most important problems or topics in a discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. To enhance clarity and avoid redundancy, consider employing synonyms like "a key concern is" or "the main problem is". Remember, while this phrase is generally applicable, tailoring your language to the specific context ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key concern is

Replaces "issue" with "concern", focusing on apprehension or worry.

a primary focus is

Shifts the emphasis to the main area of attention or concentration.

the main problem is

Directly identifies the core difficulty or challenge.

the critical point is

Highlights the most important or decisive element.

a significant question is

Frames the issue as a question requiring consideration.

a core challenge is

Emphasizes the fundamental difficulty that needs to be overcome.

the fundamental question is

Highlights a base question.

the central aspect is

Focuses on a particular feature or element.

a major sticking point is

Highlights a point of disagreement or obstacle.

the heart of the matter is

Directly refers to the most essential part of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "a central issue is" in a sentence?

Use "a central issue is" to introduce the most important topic or problem being discussed. For example, "A central issue is whether the new policy will effectively reduce carbon emissions."

What can I say instead of "a central issue is"?

You can use alternatives like "a key concern is", "the main problem is", or "the critical point is" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a central issue is" or "the central issue is"?

Both "a central issue is" and "the central issue is" are grammatically correct. "A central issue is" is used when introducing one of several important issues, while "the central issue is" is used when introducing the single most important issue.

What's the difference between "a central issue is" and "a major issue is"?

While both phrases highlight significant problems, "a central issue is" implies the issue is fundamental or core to the discussion, whereas "a major issue is" simply indicates the issue is large or significant.