a cluster of issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cluster of issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of related problems or challenges that are interconnected. Example: "The project faced a cluster of issues, including budget overruns, staffing shortages, and technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Columbia chapter of SDS, led by its chairman Mark Rudd, took an early lead on a cluster of issues that prompted student unrest and ultimately the strike.

Columbia University

The Columbia chapter of SDS had taken an early activist lead on a cluster of issues that prompted student unrest and ultimately the strike.

Columbia University

"If you are a single-issue person or a really ideological person on a cluster of issues, in John McCain your ship has not come in," said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and a close McCain ally.

The New York Times

Tells about some of the President's recent speeches, and some of the Administration's mistakes: asking the Senate Budget Committee to raise defense spending by 10% (they agreed on 5%); a cluster of issues that involves the question of "fairness"; shakiness in dealing with the Soviet Union.

The New Yorker

Mr. Holt, a former assistant director of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, said he considered the environment and related concerns about suburban sprawl and open space part of a cluster of issues that had helped him prevail in an area long considered safely Republican.

The New York Times

Coverage brings together a cluster of issues centered upon the variety of meanings of consistency, contradiction, and related notions.

Springer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Going one step further, a nexus is a cluster of interlinked issues, where any action on one issue will have a positive or negative impact on the others.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

A cluster of domestic issues, including education, health care and Social Security, ranked behind the war, as did the issue of terrorism.

The Washington Post

But also on the table is a cluster of status issues: Why can't writers be on the sets of shows they have written?

The New York Times

Mr. Conrad, a Democrat who is chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and is working on ideas for overhauling the tax system, spoke as a cluster of economic issues seemed to dominate the nation's political conversation.

The New York Times

Caroline Pidgeon, their very capable London Assembly member who is also chasing the big prize this time, will try to make her mark by highlighting a cluster of specific issues and aim to re-establish the Lib Dems as City Hall's third place party.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and audience. While appropriate in many settings, "a cluster of issues" can sometimes sound vague. More precise language might be needed for formal reports.

Common error

Avoid using "a cluster of issues" as a substitute for detailed problem descriptions. Always provide specific examples or context to ensure clarity for your reader. Don't let the phrase be a placeholder for deeper analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cluster of issues" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI examples show, it groups multiple related problems or topics into a single unit. The phrase enables speakers and writers to refer to interconnected problems concisely.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cluster of issues" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for referring to a group of related problems or topics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and acceptable in various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While not exceptionally common, it appears frequently enough to be recognized and understood. For clarity, be specific about the nature of the issues you are referring to. Related phrases include "a range of problems" or "a set of challenges". Using this phrase helps to acknowledge interconnected problems requiring comprehensive solutions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a range of problems

Focuses on the variety within the problems, instead of their grouping.

a set of challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty aspect rather than simply a collection of issues.

a complex of problems

Highlights the interconnected and complicated nature of the problems.

a series of concerns

Conveys a sense of worry or anxiety about the issues involved.

a collection of topics

Neutral phrasing, suitable when the issues are not necessarily problematic.

a group of matters

More formal and general, applicable in various contexts.

an array of difficulties

Highlights the arrangement of the problems, usually implying a structured presentation.

a batch of subjects

Suggests a somewhat disorganized or random assortment of topics.

a bundle of questions

Implies that the issues are largely unanswered and require investigation.

a spectrum of dilemmas

Stresses the wide range and variety of difficult choices or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "a cluster of issues" in a sentence?

You can use "a cluster of issues" to refer to a group of related problems. For example: "The project is facing "a cluster of issues", including budget constraints and staffing shortages."

What are some alternatives to "a cluster of issues"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a range of problems", "a set of challenges", or "a complex of problems", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to list issues individually instead of using "a cluster of issues"?

It depends on the context. If you need to provide a detailed analysis, listing issues individually is better. If you're giving a summary or overview, "a cluster of issues" can be appropriate, as long as you provide sufficient context.

What kind of tone does "a cluster of issues" convey?

"A cluster of issues" typically has a neutral to slightly negative tone, implying the presence of problems or challenges. The specific tone also depends on the context in which it's used.