address something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'address something' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about speaking or writing about a particular topic or issue. For example, "This essay will address the issue of poverty in developing countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

She said: "I'd really like to address something that is weighing very heavy on my heart.

Independent

"Do you address something head on and risk making it a mainstream phenomenon?

The New York Times

"It's a way to address something that nobody wants to talk about through a game that everybody loves," Noftsinger said.

The New York Times - Sports

Fair play to Fraser for using humour to address something very raw: some will find her story affecting.

The Guardian

I never sit down to write anything personal unless I know the subject is going to go beyond my own experience and address something larger and more universal.

The New Yorker

"Sun" sounds like a document of something that's happened, rather than the report of someone's aching desire to address something undone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

'Men's Lives' addressed something terribly important to this area".

The New York Times

"If it addresses something they're angry about, like executive compensation, fine.

The Economist

The president, who attended the breakfast with his wife, Michelle, also addressed something he rarely speaks about: his citizenship.

The New York Times

They must have been addressing something in the sky — not aliens in flying saucers, as some suggest, but their gods.

The Guardian - Arts

Romney won't alienate his rightwing supporters by addressing something most of them don't even believe is happening.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with adverbs like "head on", "directly" or "immediately" to emphasize the urgency of the action.

Common error

Do not assume that to "address something" always means the problem has been solved. It often means the process of dealing with it has merely begun. If the issue is completely fixed, consider using "resolve something" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a transitive verb phrase where "address" is the action verb and "something" acts as an indefinite pronoun serving as the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote both the physical act of fixing a problem and the rhetorical act of discussing a topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "address something" is a staple of high-quality English prose, serving as a sophisticated way to manage topics and problems. As observed in data from Ludwig, it appears across a vast spectrum of contexts—from medical surgeries to political apologies and technical bug fixes. It is grammatically sound and carries a tone of active engagement. Whether you are writing a business email, a news report or an academic paper, "address something" effectively signals that a matter is being taken seriously and is under consideration or action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tackle an issue

Implies a more vigorous or determined effort to solve a problem.

deal with something

More common in everyday speech and covers a wider range of actions.

confront a problem

Suggests facing a difficult or unpleasant situation directly.

attend to a matter

More formal and often implies providing necessary care or attention.

discuss a topic

Limits the scope to verbal or written communication only.

resolve a situation

Focuses on the end result of finding a solution.

handle a concern

Common in customer service and professional management contexts.

speak about an issue

Explicitly refers to vocalizing thoughts about a subject.

focus on something

Indicates directing attention without necessarily implying an action or solution.

remedy a situation

Specifically refers to correcting something that is wrong.

FAQs

How do I use "address something" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a topic, such as "The CEO will "address the concerns" of the employees during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "address something"?

Depending on your goal, you could use "tackle something", "deal with something" or "confront something".

Is "address something" formal enough for an essay?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for academic and professional writing. It is frequently seen in journals and reputable news sources like the BBC and The Economist.

What is the difference between "address something" and "solve something"?

To "address something" means to give it attention or speak about it, while to "solve something" means to find a definitive answer or conclusion to a problem.