a focal issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a focal issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a central or primary concern in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In our meeting, we identified climate change as a focal issue that requires immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A focal issue in the case has been Mr. Tankleff's persona.

The New York Times

Manchester and other cities have agreed to changes including elected mayors in return for control over local financing and transport, with buses a focal issue.

The Guardian

Cloudscaling has raised $10 million from Trinity Ventures, Juniper Networks, and Seagate Technologies in a deal that shows how software defined networking has become a focal issue for companies building out their own clouds.

TechCrunch

Consequently, tracing the antecedents of demotivation should be a focal issue for both teachers and researchers who are inspired to provide EFL students with the most suitable learning conditions.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

This work focuses on the problem of designing effective routing solutions for multi-hop CRNs, which is a focal issue to fully unleash the potentials of the cognitive networking paradigm.

Ad Hoc Networks

Optimization design of energy management strategy (EMS) for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which significantly affects the vehicle performance on fuel economy and pollutant emission, has always been a focal issue.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In our first focus group meeting, a refinement of the focal issue involved a negotiation between the research and community priorities.

Global Health Action

The focal issue was a 54.8percentt rise in the last year in fuel oil costs for heat and hot water, which the landlords said justified their call for sharply higher rents.

The New York Times

This pressure became the focal issue in an otherwise lackluster election campaign.

The New York Times

But Trump made immigration his signature issue in many respects, and he just took arguments that have been around for a while and made them his focal issue.

Vice

The focal issue was designing a clean water and sanitation system (upgrading of the drainage system, waste collection, and treatment) with community contributions, without stressing household incomes.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a focal issue", clearly define the context in which the issue is central to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a focal issue" as a generic placeholder. Always specify what makes the issue focal and why it matters in the given situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a focal issue" serves as a noun phrase, identifying a particular concern or problem that is central to a discussion, analysis, or situation. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates this phrase is used to pinpoint the core subject of attention, as demonstrated in examples related to diverse topics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a focal issue" is a versatile phrase used to highlight a central point of concern in discussions and analyses. As Ludwig AI underlines, this phrase enjoys broad applicability across diverse fields. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, ensuring clarity and specificity is crucial when employing this expression. Alternative phrases such as "a central concern" or "a primary focus" can be used to add nuance to your writing. Remember to clearly define the context in which the issue is focal to enhance understanding and avoid ambiguity. With its prevalent usage in news, science, and general discourse, "a focal issue" remains a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central concern

Emphasizes the importance of the issue as a matter of worry or interest.

a key question

Highlights the issue as a significant inquiry needing resolution.

a primary focus

Stresses that the issue is the main element receiving attention.

a main priority

Indicates the issue is of utmost importance and requires immediate action.

a major theme

Suggests the issue is a recurring and significant idea.

a critical aspect

Highlights that the issue is essential and vital for consideration.

a pivotal point

Focuses on the issue as a turning point or a crucial element.

a core element

Identifies the issue as a fundamental and necessary component.

a significant matter

Indicates the issue is important and noteworthy.

a prominent topic

Highlights that the issue is widely discussed and easily noticeable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a focal issue" to highlight the central point of discussion. For example, "Climate change is "a focal issue" in environmental policy debates".

What are some alternatives to "a focal issue"?

Alternatives include "a central concern", "a key question", or "a primary focus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "focal issue" or "central issue"?

Both "focal issue" and "central issue" are correct and often interchangeable. "Focal issue" emphasizes the point where attention converges, while "central issue" highlights the core problem or subject.

Can "a focal issue" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "a focal issue" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from more specific or nuanced vocabulary.