a substantial issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a matter of significant importance or concern in various contexts, such as business, law, or personal matters. Example: "The committee has identified a substantial issue that needs to be addressed before moving forward with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It means we have a substantial issue likely to result in reversal," she said.

The New York Times

While no one keeps state-by-state numbers on parole backlogs, Mr. Mauer said, "nobody here is aware of that being a substantial issue in other states".

The New York Times

Sexual behaviour, therefore, became a substantial issue between him and his converts, and for that reason his letters frequently refer to sexual ethics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Justice DiNoto ruled that the "evidence was sufficient to raise a substantial issue as to whether the stated reason for singling out Nassau and New York City for Article 18 treatment was, and continues to be, rational".

The New York Times

"This is the place where the administration made a clear decision that it can get something done with or without Congress, and it can do something politically on a substantial issue".

The Guardian

The court is often asked to intervene at the last minute in death cases, and does so infrequently, and only when the justices think the case raises a substantial issue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"This case is going to have a substantial number of issues," he said.

The New York Times

There are a substantial number of issues that negotiators will eventually need to address, and likewise, there are a set of questions that researchers (including within the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements) can begin to address now.

Huffington Post

We could chart the gross of every cinema in every city over time by building a spread sheet -- if only we could find a substantial number of back issues.

Huffington Post

A substantial number of important issues arise because of our findings.

BMJ Open

Thus, child care has become an important issue to a substantial number of postdoctoral scientists.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "critical problem" or "major challenge" if the situation warrants a more impactful description.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial issue" for minor or trivial matters. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a significant problem or matter needing attention. Ludwig AI highlights its use in diverse contexts, from legal matters to environmental concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science & Research

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial issue" is a commonly used phrase to denote a significant problem or matter requiring attention. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "a significant problem" or "a major concern" exist, "a substantial issue" maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for professional and academic settings. Ensure the issue truly warrants the description to avoid diluting its impact. Overall, it's a versatile phrase to convey the importance of a particular matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant problem

Replaces "issue" with "problem" and "substantial" with "significant", indicating a noteworthy difficulty.

a major concern

Substitutes "issue" with "concern" and "substantial" with "major", highlighting something causing worry.

a considerable matter

Replaces "issue" with "matter" and "substantial" with "considerable", denoting something important to be dealt with.

a weighty subject

Substitutes "issue" with "subject" and "substantial" with "weighty", implying a serious topic.

a critical point

Replaces "issue" with "point" and "substantial" with "critical", signaling a crucial aspect.

a serious question

Replaces "issue" with "question" and "substantial" with "serious", highlighting a grave inquiry.

a notable challenge

Substitutes "issue" with "challenge" and "substantial" with "notable", indicating a significant difficulty.

an important consideration

Replaces "issue" with "consideration" and "substantial" with "important", signifying something vital to think about.

a key area

Substitutes "issue" with "area" and "substantial" with "key", denoting a vital aspect to focus on.

a pressing matter

Replaces "issue" with "matter" and "substantial" with "pressing", suggesting an urgent concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial issue" to describe a significant problem or concern that needs attention. For example, "Climate change is "a substantial issue" facing the world today."

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant problem", "a major concern", or "a critical point" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "a substantial issue" or "a big issue"?

"A substantial issue" is generally more formal than "a big issue". "A big issue" is more appropriate for informal conversations, while "a substantial issue" is suitable for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "a substantial issue" and "a minor issue"?

"A substantial issue" refers to a significant problem or concern, while "a minor issue" refers to a small or insignificant problem. The choice between the two depends on the severity and impact of the problem being described.