a footnote issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a footnote issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor or less significant problem that is akin to a footnote in a text, often implying that it is not the main focus. Example: "While the main argument is compelling, there is a footnote issue that needs to be addressed regarding the data sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Albany is a footnote issue".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or perhaps, as Judge King suggested in a footnote, the issue of whether a defendant has a due process right to DNA testing may be a question for the highest tribunal.

The New York Times

The married-priests issue is a footnote; the female-priests issue is a footnote; so is divorce, contraception, Latin Masses, changes in the liturgy, even perhaps the death penalty.

The New York Times

The Senate committee notes these missing documents in its study in a footnote, saying it issued multiple requests to the White House to review those documents, but received no response.

Huffington Post

This remained a budget in search of a theme, a red book that was little more than a footnote to the one issued by the Treasury last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The Wells report buries this issue in a footnote on page 46 without any further elaboration".

BBC

A footnote to the Profile, in this issue, of Kaufman.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, May 18 , 1929P. 51 A footnote to the Profile, in this issue, of Kaufman.

The New Yorker

By Alexander Woollcott The New Yorker, May 18 , 1929P. 51 A footnote to the Profile, in this issue, of Kaufman.

The New Yorker

LVMH's lawsuit was first disclosed in a footnote to a research report Morgan Stanley issued on Friday, and was reported in The Financial Times today.

The New York Times

Justice Sotomayor obliged with a footnote saying "we express no view on that issue".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a footnote issue" when you want to downplay the significance of a problem or concern, positioning it as a minor point compared to the main subject.

Common error

Avoid using "a footnote issue" when the matter at hand has significant implications or requires immediate attention. Using it inappropriately can minimize genuine concerns and damage credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a footnote issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "footnote" acts as an adjective modifying "issue". It's used to describe the type of issue being discussed. Ludwig indicates this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a footnote issue" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a minor or secondary problem. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's not a commonly used expression. Its primary function is to downplay the significance of an issue, suggesting it is less important than the main subject. Although the phrase appears mainly in news and media, alternative phrases such as "a minor concern" or "a secondary problem" might be more widely understood. While considered correct, its rarity suggests caution in using it to avoid potential misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor concern

Focuses on the issue being small in importance or impact.

a secondary problem

Highlights the issue's lower priority compared to other problems.

a peripheral matter

Suggests the issue is on the edge of the main topic or concern.

an insignificant detail

Emphasizes the lack of importance of the issue.

a triviality

Indicates the issue is not serious or worthy of much attention.

a side issue

Implies the issue is related but not central to the main topic.

a tangential point

Suggests the issue is only loosely connected to the main discussion.

a passing thought

Highlights the brief and fleeting nature of the issue's consideration.

a subordinate question

Indicates the issue is less important than the main question at hand.

a non-essential element

Underlines the issue's lack of necessity or critical importance.

FAQs

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

Describing something as "a footnote issue" means it's a minor or less important problem compared to the main focus. It's like a footnote in a text—additional information that's not essential to understanding the core message.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a footnote issue"?

It's appropriate to use "a footnote issue" when you want to indicate that a particular problem or concern is secondary or not critical to the overall situation. It's useful for downplaying the importance of something without dismissing it entirely.

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

You can use alternatives like "a minor concern", "a secondary problem", or "a peripheral matter" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "a footnote issue" a common expression?

The phrase "a footnote issue" isn't very common. While grammatically correct, other expressions like "minor issue" or "secondary concern" might be more readily understood.