a personal issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a personal issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a matter or problem that is private or specific to an individual, often implying that it is not related to work or public affairs. Example: "I need to take some time off because I have a personal issue that I need to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

President Obama did the right thing by speaking personally about it, because it is a personal issue.

The New Yorker

It's a personal issue".

The New York Times

"It's a personal issue," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"To me, that is a personal issue".

The New York Times

A Diplomatic Issue or a Personal Issue?

The New Yorker

"You know, it's not ‑‑ it's a personal issue.

The New York Times

But national identity is not a personal issue.

The Guardian - Books

"This was a personal issue," Ms. Stainton said.

The New York Times

I try not to make this a personal issue.

The Guardian

"It's a personal issue to have a child," he said.

The New York Times

TOKYO — Racial profiling had never struck me as a personal issue.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a personal issue", be mindful of the context and audience. It's often used to signal that further details will not be shared, so avoid creating ambiguity about whether the topic is open for discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a personal issue" as a conversational segue into providing excessive details. It's better to maintain boundaries once you've signaled the topic's private nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal issue" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a matter that is private and specific to an individual. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it is frequently used to signal the sensitive nature of a topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a personal issue" is a versatile term used to denote a private or sensitive matter that pertains to an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, serving to signal privacy and often decline further elaboration. When using this phrase, it's important to be mindful of the context and audience, avoiding ambiguity and respecting personal boundaries. Alternatives include "a private matter" or "a sensitive subject", each with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a private matter

Emphasizes the confidentiality and sensitivity of the issue.

a private affair

Similar to "a private matter", emphasizing the non-public nature.

a confidential concern

Highlights the need for discretion and privacy.

a personal difficulty

Highlights the challenging aspect of the issue.

a sensitive subject

Indicates the potential for emotional or delicate handling.

a matter of privacy

Focuses specifically on the privacy aspect of the issue.

an individual problem

Stresses that the issue is specific to one person.

a family affair

Suggests the issue is confined within a family context.

a delicate situation

Points to the potential complexity and need for careful navigation.

a matter between individuals

Focuses on the interpersonal nature of the issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a personal issue" to indicate that a matter is private and specific to an individual. For example, "I need to take some time off due to a personal issue."

What are some alternative phrases for "a personal issue"?

Some alternatives include "a private matter", "a confidential concern", or "a sensitive subject", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to ask for details after someone mentions "a personal issue"?

Generally, it's best to respect someone's privacy when they mention "a personal issue". Asking for details could be seen as intrusive. Wait until they offer more information, if they choose to.

What's the difference between "a personal issue" and "a private matter"?

While similar, "a personal issue" might imply a problem or difficulty, whereas "a private matter" simply emphasizes the confidentiality without necessarily implying a problem.