actual issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"actual issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an issue which is currently happening, or to emphasize that you are discussing the real issue at hand. For example, "The actual issue is that the company is failing to keep up with customer demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Everybody looks at the money — not the actual issue.

The New York Times - Sports

This approach does nothing to tackle the actual issue, instead simply populating the prison system.

The Guardian

The speaker denies that, but in any case, the actual issue is the waterboarding itself.

The New York Times

Emin would have been able to afford childcare and this is the actual issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

The allegory of "The Lobster" offers a sense of social significance while keeping a sophisticated distance from any actual issue.

The New Yorker

Inadvertently, however, he brought up an actual issue with his ill-informed tirade – is a candidate's wealth a legitimate subject for news coverage?

The New York Times

Gail: It was a big win in the sense that the only actual issue was whether the president could make a comeback.

The New York Times

"So the actual issue of supply and demand is better here than you might get on the Costa del Sol, for example," she said.

The New York Times

How strange that so little of the media furore and public comment surrounding such cases has anything at all to do with the actual issue in question.

The Guardian

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Chancellor Joel I. Klein and Mr. Scaccia all appear oblivious to the actual issue on the cellphone debate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Actual issues are now beside the point; emotions reign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing a complex situation, use "actual issue" to steer the conversation towards the most critical aspect needing resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "actual issue" when the issue is already clear. Overuse can dilute its impact. Ensure it adds emphasis or clarification to the problem being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual issue" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the genuine problem or matter needing attention, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actual issue" is a grammatically sound and very common noun phrase used to emphasize the real problem or matter at hand. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to clarify discussions, focusing attention on the core problem needing resolution. To enhance your writing, use it to clearly distinguish genuine problems from related concerns, avoiding overuse in situations where the issue is already apparent. Alternatives like "real problem" or "true issue" can offer stylistic variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real problem

Focuses on the problem's authenticity, emphasizing its existence.

true issue

Highlights the genuineness of the issue, distinguishing it from superficial concerns.

underlying problem

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the issue, suggesting it's a root cause.

core problem

Highlights the central or most important problem.

central concern

Shifts focus to the importance or worry associated with the issue.

main concern

Similar to "central concern", highlighting the most important worry.

critical matter

Emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the issue.

real concern

Emphasizes the genuine worry the issue provokes.

fundamental problem

Highlights the basic and essential nature of the problem.

primary challenge

Focuses on the difficulty or obstacle that the issue presents.

FAQs

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

You can use "actual issue" to emphasize the real problem in a situation, like: "Everybody looks at the money — not the "actual issue"."

What's a good substitute for "actual issue"?

Alternatives include "real problem", "true issue", or "underlying problem", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "actual issue" and "main issue"?

"Actual issue" emphasizes the genuineness of the problem, while "main issue" simply highlights the most important concern.

Is it redundant to say "the real actual issue"?

Using both "real" and "actual" can be redundant. It's usually sufficient to use just one to emphasize the genuineness of the problem.