a severe issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a severe issue' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a very serious problem that needs to be addressed. Example: The rising cost of healthcare is a severe issue that needs to be resolved.

✓ Grammatically correct

Energy

Phytomedicine

Electrochemistry

News & Media

Computer Science

Medicine

Genetics

Psychiatry

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Sustainability of energy supply in small islands has been emerging as a severe issue, due to the large margins for improvement of the most frequently adopted solutions.

Energy

Background: It is well-known that the public still have been facing on a severe issue about the inconsistency of quality and therapeutic efficacy of traditional medicines.

Phytomedicine

Therefore, the methodology demonstrated here can probably be used to mitigate the deteriorating effect of mechanical failure in silicon-based electrodes, in which volume variation is usually considered as a severe issue, of lithium ion batteries.

Electrochimica Acta

"We went a step further with the Virgin Islands because we had a severe issue where we didn't have a lot of shelters," said Michael Byrne, FEMA's federal coordinator for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Washington Post

That is, they know it's a severe issue but it seems almost hopeless.

TechCrunch

Such computational complexity can be a severe issue particularly for real-time applications.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Considering Tesla's emphasis on "new technologies" and "new production lines," it is safe to assume a technical problem contributed to battery shortages rather than a more severe issue such as insufficient raw materials.

Forbes

Welby said he was concerned that fuel poverty was "a very severe issue... because real incomes are flat or declining and the cost of energy has gone up".

The Guardian

A more severe issue in terms of (research) ethics is that of the missing "informed consent" in SMA, comprehensively dealt with in Krieger, Grubmüller et al. [36].

European Journal of Futures Research

He said he was concerned that fuel poverty was "a very severe issue... because real incomes are flat or declining and the cost of energy has gone up".

BBC

But whether you look on being lonely as a mild or severe issue, the same solution applies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a severe issue" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and potential impact of a problem. Ensure the context supports this level of concern.

Common error

Avoid using "a severe issue" for minor problems. Using strong language for trivial matters can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe issue" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a problem as being of significant gravity. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe issue" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a serious problem that requires attention. Ludwig AI confirms its applicability across various domains, including science, news and media, and wiki sources. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with the level of seriousness it implies. Alternatives like "a critical problem" or "a serious concern" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid overusing "a severe issue" for trivial matters to maintain its impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical problem

Replaces "severe issue" with "critical problem", emphasizing the urgency and importance of the problem.

a serious concern

Substitutes "issue" with "concern", highlighting the worrying nature of the situation.

a grave matter

Replaces "severe issue" with "grave matter", indicating a serious and weighty situation.

a pressing problem

Emphasizes the urgency of the issue by using "pressing" instead of "severe".

a significant challenge

Replaces "issue" with "challenge", framing the situation as something that needs to be overcome.

a difficult situation

Uses a more general term, "situation", to describe the problem, making it slightly less formal.

a major difficulty

Emphasizes the scale of the problem using "major" instead of "severe" and "difficulty" instead of "issue".

a complex problem

Highlights the intricate nature of the issue by using "complex" instead of "severe".

a thorny issue

Uses a metaphorical description to indicate a difficult and complicated issue.

a worrying development

Shifts the focus to the progression of the issue, highlighting its potential negative impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe issue" to describe a serious problem that needs attention, such as "Climate change is "a severe issue" for coastal communities".

What are some alternatives to "a severe issue"?

Some alternatives to "a severe issue" include "a critical problem", "a serious concern", or "a grave matter" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a severe issue" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a serious problem. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it's the most suitable term.

What's the difference between "a severe issue" and "a major issue"?

"A severe issue" implies a potentially damaging or dangerous problem, while "a major issue" simply indicates a large or significant problem. Severity suggests more negative consequences.