a moderate issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a moderate issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or concern that is not severe or extreme, but rather of a middle level of significance. Example: "While the budget cuts are concerning, they are considered a moderate issue compared to the larger financial crisis we are facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Mr. Ellner also wanted to drum up popular momentum for the bill, to frame it as a moderate issue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was an Arnold Schwarzenegger Republican, a moderate on issues like gay rights, choice, gun control.

The New York Times

Mr. Ridge, a moderate Republican, issued a statement on Thursday shooting down talk that had been mounting ever since Mr. Specter switched from Republican to Democrat last week.

The New York Times

Two weeks ago at the state's Republican convention, Mr. Schwarzenegger, a moderate on issues like gay rights and abortion, gave a speech to the party's right wing meant to prove that he is one of them.

The New York Times

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, a moderate on issues like abortion and gay rights, went on to an unsuccessful bid for the presidency by moving to the right on some issues.

The New York Times

But if a Wall Street financed independent is on the ballot, running as a conservative on fiscal issues and a moderate on social issues, there's no telling how the election might play out.

Huffington Post

It will be a tragedy for the reproductive rights of American women if Gov. George W. Bush of Texas does not come clean on abortion and quit trying to fool voters into thinking he's a moderate on the issue (Political Memo, June 12).

The New York Times

The prospect, he adds, is "thrilling and horrifying at the same time".Some Democrats worry that the greatest pressure will come from Mr Perry's right, particularly on immigration: despite his typically tough rhetoric, the governor has been a moderate on that issue.

The Economist

Crittenden was regarded as a moderate on the issue, seeking to keep it out of politics altogether.

Wikipedia

Having lived in the agrarian western part of the state for most of his life, and never having alienated the powerful Farmers' Alliance, Brown was acceptable to most agrarian interests, while the Louisville and Nashville Railroad felt he was a moderate on the issue of corporate regulation.

Wikipedia

She said Mr. Bush had campaigned as a moderate on social issues, including affirmative action.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a moderate issue", ensure the context clearly indicates the problem is neither trivial nor severe. This helps maintain clarity and avoids misrepresenting the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a moderate issue" when the problem is clearly significant or insignificant. Overstating or understating the issue can undermine your credibility and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a moderate issue" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "moderate" modifies the noun "issue". It describes the degree or intensity of the issue being discussed. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a moderate issue" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to describe a problem or concern that is neither trivial nor severe. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase can be effectively used in various contexts, especially within News & Media, though its overall frequency is rare. Related phrases include "a minor problem" and "a manageable concern", which offer similar nuances. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context reflects an issue of medium severity to avoid misrepresentation. The phrase is generally suitable for neutral to professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor problem

Replaces "issue" with "problem" implying a less formal context but with the same level of severity.

a manageable concern

Substitutes "moderate issue" with a phrase highlighting the ease of dealing with the matter.

a slight difficulty

Replaces "moderate" with "slight" and "issue" with "difficulty", both indicating a lower level of severity.

a reasonable question

Changes the noun to "question", shifting from a problem to an inquiry of medium importance.

a simple matter

Uses "simple matter" to suggest the issue is not complex or hard to solve.

a common challenge

Focuses on the issue being a typical obstacle faced by many.

a medium-sized obstacle

Uses more explicit language to describe the scale of the problem.

a limited predicament

Indicates the issue is confined in scope or impact.

a tempered controversy

This shifts the context towards a dispute that is not highly heated or polarized.

an average debate

Replaces "issue" with "debate", indicating a discussion of ordinary intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a moderate issue" to describe a problem or concern that is not severe or extreme but rather of a middle level of significance. For example, "While budget cuts are concerning, they are considered "a moderate issue" compared to the larger financial crisis we face".

What are some alternatives to "a moderate issue"?

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

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

It's appropriate when the issue is more than a trivial concern but less than a critical crisis. The severity should fall in the middle range.

Is "a moderate issue" formal or informal language?

The phrase "a moderate issue" is suitable for neutral to professional contexts. While not overly formal, it's generally appropriate for business, news reporting, and academic writing. For more informal contexts, you might choose a phrase like "a small problem".