a grave issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or critical problem that requires attention or concern. Example: "The recent increase in pollution levels is a grave issue that affects the health of our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The tests, believed to be part of annual drills, did not constitute a "grave issue for Japan's security," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan said.

The New York Times

Here, Chinese leaders have acknowledged that lead contamination is a grave issue and have raised the priority of reducing heavy-metal pollution in the government's latest five-year plan, presented in March.

The New York Times

If it weren't such a grave issue, the Bush administration's fine-tuning of its main justification for taking our country to war would almost be pathetically funny ("Bush Backs Away From His Claims About Iraq Arms," front page, Jan . 28.

The New York Times

With just over 5,000 actual employees, the trust puts its 350 historic sites mainly in the hands of these enthusiasts.In this section Now you see them… Taking the heat out The Juncker busters bomb Slimming Auntie More elbow grease, grandma A grave issue Jammin' in the capital Running out of gas ReprintsThis reflects Britain's greying population and national affection for handsome piles.

The Economist

To soothe the vigilistas, however, TfL says it will leave the graveyard undisturbed.In this section Now you see them… Taking the heat out The Juncker busters bomb Slimming Auntie More elbow grease, grandma A grave issue Jammin' in the capital Running out of gas ReprintsThis highlights a growing dilemma in London.

The Economist

Now it is being humbled, with negative consequences for the wider economy.In this section Now you see them… Taking the heat out The Juncker busters bomb Slimming Auntie More elbow grease, grandma A grave issue Jammin' in the capital Running out of gas ReprintsThe most easily measured is on government revenues.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

A graver issue is how the alliance will sort out competing claims from its landed and landless constituents.

The Economist

The committee said it found no evidence that Professor Lomborg deliberately tried to mislead readers, which would have been a graver issue, and settled on a relatively mild rebuke, concluding, "The publication is deemed clearly contrary to the standards of good scientific practice".

The New York Times

I think it would be a very grave issue".

The New York Times

Case in point this Thursday's community meeting designed to "hear people out" regarding a very grave issue in the city of Toronto.

Vice

Personally, he said, he regarded abortion as a "grave" moral issue, and favored some restrictions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a grave issue" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and potential negative consequences of a problem. For instance, "Climate change is a grave issue that requires immediate action."

Common error

Avoid using "a grave issue" in overly casual or trivial situations. It's best reserved for matters of genuine significance to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "grave" modifies "issue", emphasizing its seriousness. Ludwig AI provides examples that demonstrate its use in describing critical situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grave issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to underscore the seriousness of a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys a sense of urgency and importance. While versatile, it's best suited for situations warranting significant concern, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternative phrases like "a serious problem" or "a critical matter" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious problem

Replaces "issue" with "problem", indicating a situation that needs to be dealt with.

a critical matter

Substitutes "grave" with "critical" and "issue" with "matter", stressing the urgency and importance.

a significant concern

Emphasizes the importance of the issue, framing it as something causing worry.

a weighty problem

Highlights the heaviness and importance of the issue, using a more figurative expression.

a major dilemma

Replaces "issue" with "dilemma", suggesting a difficult choice or situation.

a pressing matter

Emphasizes the urgency of the issue, requiring immediate attention.

a dire situation

Indicates a very serious and urgent problem, often with negative consequences.

a crucial subject

Focuses on the importance of the topic, often requiring careful consideration.

a momentous event

Suggests a significant and potentially life-altering development.

a pivotal point

Indicates a turning point or critical stage in a process or situation.

FAQs

What does "a grave issue" mean?

The phrase "a grave issue" refers to a serious or critical problem that demands attention and concern due to its potential negative consequences. It indicates a matter of significant importance.

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

You can use "a grave issue" to describe a serious problem. For example, "Pollution in the city has become "a grave issue", impacting public health".

What can I say instead of "a grave issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a serious problem", "a critical matter", or "a significant concern depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a grave issue" in formal writing?

Yes, "a grave issue" is appropriate for formal writing when discussing serious or critical problems. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong expression to avoid overstatement.