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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a special issue

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a special issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific edition of a publication that focuses on a particular topic or theme. Example: "The journal has released a special issue dedicated to climate change research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A special issue.

News & Media

The New York Times

A special issue of Arts & Leisure.

News & Media

The New York Times

A special issue of Science Times.

News & Media

The New York Times

A special issue explores the way we work now.

News & Media

The New York Times

"We do very much consider it a special issue".

News & Media

The New York Times

The results were published as a special issue: "The Unconscious of a Conservative: A Special Issue on the Mind of Barry Goldwater".

Some want the rich world's cotton subsidies treated as a special issue, outside general agriculture negotiations.

News & Media

The Economist

I bought a copy of The Review of Contemporary Fiction, a special issue on failure.

News & Media

The New York Times

A special issue of Metropolitan explores the diffusion of power in the city.

News & Media

The New York Times

Then Kompromat, a muck-raking magazine, published a special issue on Mr Khodorkovsky.

News & Media

The Economist

every time we produce a special issue, as we did in last Sunday's edition on innovations.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific "special issue", clearly state the topic or theme to provide context and relevance for your readers.

Common error

Ensure that you are not capitalizing "special issue" unless it is part of a title or heading. The phrase itself is not a proper noun.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a special issue" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies a specific edition of a publication devoted to a particular theme or topic, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a special issue" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase to denote a publication dedicated to a specific topic. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news, media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject matter of the issue. Alternatives such as "a themed issue" or "a focused edition" can be employed to provide variety. Remember not to capitalize the phrase unless it appears within a title.

FAQs

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

You can use "a special issue" to refer to a publication that focuses on a specific topic. For instance, "The journal released "a special issue" on climate change."

What's the difference between "a special issue" and "a special edition"?

While both terms refer to publications with specific focus, "a special issue" often refers to journals or magazines, whereas "a special edition" can also apply to books or other types of publications.

What are some alternatives to "a special issue"?

Alternatives include "a themed issue", "a dedicated issue", or "a focused edition", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an special issue" instead of "a special issue"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct article to use before "special issue" is "a" because the word "special" begins with a consonant sound.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: