a serious issue

USAGE SUMMARY

'a serious issue' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a subject or matter that is important and needs careful consideration. Example: Climate change is a serious issue that governments around the world need to address.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a serious issue.

The New York Times

Overcrowding is a serious issue.

Independent

That is a serious issue".

BBC

That was a serious issue.

The New Yorker

Sleep deprivation is a serious issue.

The New Yorker

Money has become a serious issue.

The New York Times

A serious issue is joined.

The New York Times

This can be a serious issue.

Stanford University

So this is a serious issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Racism in Zimbabwe is a serious issue.

The Guardian

"That's a serious issue," says Stiesdal.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious issue", ensure the context clearly establishes why the issue is significant. Provide specific details or examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious issue" for trivial matters. Reserve it for situations with genuine consequences or widespread impact to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious issue" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a particular subject as being of significant importance or concern. This is supported by Ludwig, which indicates its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious issue" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a problem or situation of significant importance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. The phrase is appropriate for neutral to professional registers, making it versatile for diverse writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the seriousness of the issue is clearly conveyed and substantiated with relevant details. Consider alternatives like "a grave concern" or "a critical matter" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave concern

Emphasizes the potential for negative consequences, similar to "a serious issue" but carries a stronger sense of alarm.

a critical matter

Highlights the urgent need for attention and action, suggesting that the issue is at a turning point.

a pressing problem

Stresses the immediate need to address the issue, implying that it cannot be delayed.

a significant challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and complexity of the issue, emphasizing the need for strategic solutions.

an important consideration

Highlights the need to carefully think about the issue before making decisions, often used in a more formal context.

a crucial point

Emphasizes the central importance of the issue to a particular argument or situation.

a worrying trend

Highlights a pattern or development that causes concern, implying a potential negative trajectory.

a major obstacle

Focuses on the issue as something that hinders progress or success.

a key aspect

Highlights the issue as a fundamental component of a larger situation or topic.

a considerable difficulty

Suggests that the issue presents a notable level of hardship or complexity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious issue" to introduce a problem or topic that requires careful attention. For example, "Climate change is "a serious issue" that needs global cooperation".

What are some alternatives to saying "a serious issue"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a grave concern", "a critical matter", or "a pressing problem".

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

Yes, "a serious issue" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to describe a significant problem or challenge.

What makes an issue "serious"?

An issue is considered "serious" when it has significant potential consequences, affects a large number of people, or requires immediate attention and action.