a tragic issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tragic issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a problem or situation that has serious, unfortunate, or sorrowful implications. Example: "The community is facing a tragic issue with the rising number of homelessness in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Deaths of pedestrians in road collisions are a tragic issue of human society.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

"This is a tragic issue facing our country.

Huffington Post

Sheddingnow to get the best of VICE Canada delivered straight to your inbox.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Writer watched Ronald Reagan acting in the old movie "Brother Rat" and says his manner in the film resembles his manner when chiding Israel on a truly tragic issue.

The New Yorker

Gender inequality is the moral challenge of the age.Jane Roberts Co-founder 34 Million Friends Redlands, California* SIR – You deserve praise for giving additional publicity to a truly tragic issue.

The Economist

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in sports is a tragic event.

Journal of Electrocardiology

This would be a tragic outcome.

British Medical Journal

Suicide completion is a tragic outcome in secondary mental healthcare.

BMC Psychiatry

"RANZCP does not comment on individual cases, but notes that attempted suicide is a complex and tragic issue that requires appropriate clinical care," the organisation's president, Professor Malcolm Hopwood, told Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

"You come to the point whenever you see a black person on television, it's either a comedy or some tragic issue being spoken to.

The New York Times

"One tragic issue in particular is the shame and stigma linked to HIV. "This causes thousands of children to needlessly die each year because they're keeping their illness a secret and not getting the medical attention they need".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tragic issue", ensure that the context clearly establishes the severity and sorrowful nature of the subject matter. Avoid overuse to maintain impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a tragic issue" for situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly problematic. Reserve it for genuinely serious and devastating circumstances to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tragic issue" functions primarily as a noun phrase that identifies and characterizes a particular problem or situation. The adjective "tragic" modifies the noun "issue", emphasizing its severe and sorrowful nature. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tragic issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a severe and sorrowful problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications, to emphasize the gravity of a situation. While versatile, it's crucial to use it judiciously, reserving it for truly serious matters to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "a devastating problem" or "a heartbreaking situation" for varied expression, as all alternatives will maintain accuracy and engagement in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a devastating problem

Replaces "tragic" with "devastating", emphasizing the destructive impact of the issue.

a sorrowful matter

Substitutes "tragic" with "sorrowful" and "issue" with "matter", highlighting the sadness associated with the situation.

a heartbreaking situation

Replaces "tragic" with "heartbreaking" and "issue" with "situation", emphasizing the emotional distress caused by the event.

an unfortunate circumstance

Replaces "tragic issue" with a more general term emphasizing the bad luck or negative consequences.

a calamitous event

Substitutes "tragic" with "calamitous" and "issue" with "event", highlighting the disastrous nature.

a grievous concern

Replaces "tragic" with "grievous" and "issue" with "concern", highlighting the seriousness and worry associated with it.

a dire predicament

Substitutes "tragic issue" with a phrase emphasizing the urgency and difficulty of the situation.

a regrettable affair

Replaces "tragic" with "regrettable" and "issue" with "affair", focusing on the feeling of disappointment and sorrow.

a lamentable state of affairs

Substitutes "tragic issue" with a phrase indicating a situation that is regrettable and causes sorrow.

a catastrophic development

Replaces "tragic" with "catastrophic" and "issue" with "development", emphasizing the severely damaging nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tragic issue" to describe a problem that causes significant sorrow or suffering. For example, "The rise in homelessness is "a tragic issue" that needs immediate attention."

What can I say instead of "a tragic issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a devastating problem", "a heartbreaking situation", or "an unfortunate circumstance" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a tragic issue" is appropriate for formal writing when describing a serious problem or situation. However, ensure the tone remains objective and avoids excessive emotional language.

What makes an issue "tragic"?

An issue is considered "tragic" when it involves significant loss, suffering, or misfortune. It often evokes feelings of sadness, grief, and a sense of helplessness.