a little issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor problem or concern that is not significant in nature. Example: "We encountered a little issue with the software update, but it should be resolved quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"It is a little issue," Mr. Zamanzai said.

The New York Times

"We're having a little issue with the consistency of the seed," Cappellazzo said.

The New Yorker

This may seem like a little issue, but it is not.

The New York Times

And this is a little issue, but it galls me — this product called Quorn.

The Washington Post

I take issue (there is nothing better for that morning headache than taking a little issue).

The New Yorker

Still, "it's a little issue that makes you crazy," said Adrian Benepe, the parks commissioner.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"At the time, I thought, This is just a small, little issue that will probably garner me a few votes," he told me.

The New Yorker

While it's understandable that every service has downtime issues, it seems to be a dirty little issue that has followed Twitter since it launched in 2006.

TechCrunch

The breast cancer that's killing me is just a silly little issue I've been having all these years.

Huffington Post

As an experienced kayaker, I took to a pack raft with little issue.

The New York Times - Travel

"It is a really nice way to start things off and although we have a few little issues to resolve all the bikes are going really well," said the Birmingham rider.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little issue" to downplay a problem or concern, making it seem less significant than it might be. This can be useful in professional settings when you want to address a minor issue without causing undue alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "a little issue" to describe significant problems, as it can minimize the seriousness of the situation and undermine your credibility. Reserve it for genuinely minor concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little issue" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It is used to describe a problem or concern that is considered minor or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little issue" is a commonly used phrase to describe a minor problem or concern. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct and finds its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While appropriate for general communication, it's essential to consider the context and avoid using it for significant problems. Alternatives like "a minor problem" or "a small concern" may be more suitable for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor problem

Replaces "issue" with "problem", indicating a difficulty that needs to be addressed.

a small concern

Substitutes "issue" with "concern", implying a worry or anxiety that is not significant.

a slight difficulty

Uses "difficulty" instead of "issue", emphasizing the troublesome aspect.

a trivial matter

Replaces the whole phrase to emphasize something unimportant or insignificant.

a negligible problem

Replaces the whole phrase to emphasize how something is so small as to be not worth considering.

a petty matter

Substitutes "little issue" with "petty matter", describing something of little importance.

a glitch

Referring to a small malfunction or technical problem.

a snag

Replaces "issue" with "snag", suggesting a small, unexpected obstacle.

a hiccup

Synonymous with "snag", implying a temporary and minor disruption.

a bagatelle

Replaces the whole phrase with "bagatelle", describing something of little value or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little issue" to refer to a minor problem or concern. For example, "We're having "a little issue" with the software update, but it should be resolved soon."

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

You can use alternatives like "a minor problem", "a small concern", or "a slight difficulty depending on the context.

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

While "a little issue" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "a minor problem" or "a slight difficulty" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a little issue" and "a big issue"?

"A little issue" refers to a minor problem or concern, while "a big issue" refers to a significant problem or concern. The choice depends on the severity of the situation.