a substantive issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantive issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a matter that is significant, important, or essential to a particular topic or situation. Example: "The committee will focus on a substantive issue that affects the community's future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

As foreseen, the Communists cast their first nays on a substantive issue.

The New York Times

Confronting conflict head-on — as a substantive issue — is just one of my soapboxes.

Harvard University

But here Mr. Lhota is on firmer footing, focusing on a substantive issue on which the candidates have real differences.

The New York Times

The research should deal with a substantive issue in one of the fields in the social sciences.

Cornell University

"Historically, an adviser got fired not over a substantive issue," said Tom Collimore, director of investor education at the CFA Institute, an association of investment professionals.

The New York Times

Immigration is what the pundits call a substantive issue, the type that merits big-notion editorials and multiple pages in political platforms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It is my hope that going forward we will have a substantive, issue-based discussion, where we can have differences about how we turn this country around, that we do so in a way that appeals to our better angels instead of our worst instincts," Cruz continued.

The Washington Post

Second, a more substantive issue for an economist.

The New York Times

But, like every other politician in California, he's been whipsawed by the politics of immigration, which, besides being an actual substantive issue, is a sinkhole of emotion, prejudice, and demagoguery.

The New Yorker

Beneath the complaints, however, was a more substantive issue.

The New York Times

"We have not dealt with a single substantive issue in these meetings," Mr. Rangel said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing "a substantive issue", ensure your arguments are well-supported with evidence and reasoning to demonstrate its significance.

Common error

Avoid getting bogged down in minor or tangential details. Focus on clearly articulating why the issue is truly "a substantive issue" rather than just a superficial concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantive issue" functions as a noun phrase identifying a topic or problem of considerable importance. It often serves to introduce or emphasize the significance of the matter under discussion. Ludwig provides examples from news, academia, and business contexts that illustrate this function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

28%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantive issue" is a phrase used to describe a topic or problem of significant importance, requiring serious consideration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts like news, academia, science and formal business settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the issue's importance is clearly articulated and well-supported. Alternative expressions include "a significant matter" or "an important topic". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic sources, suggesting its prevalence in formal discussions and analyses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant matter

Emphasizes the importance of the issue.

an important topic

Highlights the relevance and weight of the subject.

a key consideration

Focuses on the issue as a crucial element to think about.

a central point

Indicates the issue is a core element of a discussion or problem.

a crucial question

Frames the issue as a decisive inquiry.

a major concern

Highlights the worrisome nature and scale of the issue.

a noteworthy problem

Draws attention to the issue as being deserving of recognition and attention.

a pressing matter

Emphasizes the urgency and need for immediate attention.

a weighty subject

Indicates the issue carries significant importance and potential consequences.

a critical area

Points out the issue as an essential aspect needing evaluation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a substantive issue" in a sentence?

Use "a substantive issue" to introduce a significant topic that requires careful consideration. For example, "The debate centered on "a substantive issue" regarding environmental policy".

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant matter", "an important topic", or "a key consideration" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "substantive issue" or "significant issue"?

Both "substantive issue" and "significant issue" are correct, but "substantive issue" often implies a deeper, more fundamental importance, while "significant issue" can refer to something that is simply noteworthy or impactful.

What makes an issue "substantive"?

An issue is considered "substantive" when it is central to a discussion, has a significant impact, and involves complex or fundamental considerations. It's more than just a superficial or minor point.