a key issue in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key issue in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight an important topic or concern within a specific context or subject matter. Example: "Climate change is a key issue in the discussion of environmental policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a key issue in America.

The Guardian - Books

Education came up as a key issue in the discussion.

The Guardian

Waveform design is a key issue in radar signal processing.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This makes data compression a key issue in such systems.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Security is a key issue in IoT systems.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

(Climate sensitivity is a key issue in climate science).

Science Magazine

First, data security is a key issue in users' minds.

TechCrunch

Curse of dimensionality is a key issue in engineering optimization.

Applied Soft Computing

Change management is a key issue in project management.

International Journal of Project Management

This problem is a key issue in material design.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Cofactor regeneration is still a key issue in these developments.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key issue in", ensure the context clearly defines the scope or domain to which the issue is relevant. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a key issue in" without specifying the context. For instance, instead of saying "Sustainability is a key issue in modern society", be more specific: "Sustainability is a key issue in urban development and resource management."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key issue in" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant or central problem, challenge, or area of consideration within a given context. It serves to highlight the importance of a specific element, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a key issue in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the significance of a particular matter within a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for diverse scenarios, especially in science, news, and formal business environments. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the relevant domain. Alternatives include "a central concern in" or "a major challenge in", depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid vague specifications to maintain clarity and relevance in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central concern in

Replaces "key issue" with "central concern" offering a slightly more worried or apprehensive tone.

a major challenge in

Substitutes "key issue" with "major challenge" framing it as a difficulty to be overcome.

an important factor in

Focuses on the phrase being a contributing element rather than a problem or subject of debate.

a critical aspect of

Replaces "key issue" with "critical aspect" stressing the importance and necessity of the element.

a significant element in

Highlights the element's relative importance within a larger context.

a primary focus in

Emphasizes the element as being the main object of attention or effort.

a vital component of

Stresses that the issue is essential and indispensable.

a fundamental question in

Frames the issue as an unanswered question that needs to be addressed.

a noteworthy consideration in

Highlights that the element is deserving of attention and reflection.

a pressing matter in

Conveys a sense of urgency and the need for immediate action.

FAQs

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

Use "a key issue in" to highlight a significant problem, challenge, or consideration within a specific context. For example, "Data privacy is "a key issue in" social media marketing".

What phrases are similar to "a key issue in"?

Alternatives include "a central concern in", "a major challenge in", or "an important factor in", each offering a slightly different nuance while maintaining the focus on significance.

Is it correct to say "the key issue in" instead of "a key issue in"?

Both "a key issue in" and "the key issue in" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A key issue in" suggests one of several important issues, while "the key issue in" implies it's the most important one.

What is the difference between "a key issue" and "a minor issue"?

"A key issue" indicates a significant problem or point of consideration, whereas "a minor issue" refers to something of lesser importance or consequence.