address the main issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "address the main issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic or problem and want to focus on the most important aspect. Example: "In our meeting, we need to address the main issue of budget constraints affecting our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Firstly, let's address the main issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

Iran responds with a written document that fails to address the main issue: international demands that it stop enriching uranium.

The New York Times

But Iran responded with a written document that failed to address the main issue: international demands that it stop enriching uranium.

The New York Times

Portugal's policy shifts its drug problem from law enforcement to medical care, but it doesn't address the main issue, which is economic.

The New Yorker

William Safire ("The Kidnap Weapon," column, Sept. 27) does not address the main issue raised by the kidnappings in Iraq: Why is the United States government unable to protect so many workers from kidnappings and violence?

The New York Times

But with PowerPlay we tried to address the main issue, which is that golf takes too long".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We address the main issues to be considered for the development and manufacture of improved antivenoms.

Biologicals

"What is the point of this press conference if you are not going to address the main issues?" one reporter asked.

The New York Times

Critics of the OECD report are likely to argue that it is stronger on analysis than specific solutions, but the OECD says it has managed to create a framework in which to address the main issues confronting governments, including the critical need for greater international co-operation between tax authorities.

The Guardian

Three years ago, a McKinsey & Co. report, "Driving Sustainable Growth for Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding", gave thoroughbred racing a wake-up call: If the Jockey Club and its kin didn't address the main issues facing racing, the sport would decline, becoming marginalized and moribund.

Huffington Post

We developed a topic guide for the focus group meetings in order to address the main issues related to the feasibility of the HCID (see Appendix 1).

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting solutions, ensure you "address the main issue" directly and avoid tangential points to maintain focus and clarity.

Common error

Avoid prioritizing urgent tasks over important ones. While a situation might demand immediate attention, always verify that you "address the main issue" and not just a superficial symptom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "address the main issue" functions as a verb phrase where "address" is the verb and "the main issue" serves as the object. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to emphasize the need to focus on the most important aspect of a problem.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "address the main issue" is a commonly used phrase that emphasizes the importance of focusing on the most critical aspect of a situation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that you are truly prioritizing the most significant problem and not just a superficial symptom. Consider alternatives such as "tackle the core problem" or "resolve the central question" to add nuance to your writing. The phrase's widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tackle the core problem

Focuses on 'tackling' which implies a more active approach to the 'core problem', highlighting the central difficulty.

resolve the central question

Emphasizes 'resolution' and frames the issue as a 'question', suggesting a focus on finding an answer.

confront the primary challenge

Uses 'confront' to imply a direct engagement with a 'primary challenge', suggesting a more proactive and potentially difficult approach.

handle the key subject

Replaces "issue" with "subject", indicating a broader scope than a problem, and 'handle' suggests management rather than resolution.

grapple with the fundamental concern

'Grapple with' suggests struggling to understand or manage a 'fundamental concern', indicating a deeper level of engagement.

attend to the principal matter

'Attend to' suggests giving care and focus to the 'principal matter', framing it as something needing careful consideration.

take on the dominant question

Implies acceptance of responsibility for the "dominant question", which highlights its importance and widespread influence.

manage the chief difficulty

'Manage' suggests a sustained effort to control or mitigate the "chief difficulty", implying an ongoing process.

work on the major obstacle

Focuses on working toward removing a "major obstacle", which suggests progress and effort to overcome it.

overcome the critical barrier

Suggests making an effort to 'overcome the critical barrier', focusing on achieving a resolution against resistance.

FAQs

How can I use "address the main issue" in a sentence?

You can use "address the main issue" when you want to emphasize the need to focus on the most important aspect of a problem or discussion. For example, "The presentation needs to "address the main issue" of rising costs."

What can I say instead of "address the main issue"?

You can use alternatives like "tackle the core problem", "resolve the central question", or "confront the primary challenge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "address the main issue" or "address the main issues"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Address the main issue" refers to a single, primary problem, while "address the main issues" refers to multiple significant problems.

What's the difference between "address the main issue" and "address the underlying issue"?

"Address the main issue" focuses on the most apparent or immediate problem. "Address the underlying issue" refers to tackling the root cause of the problem, which may not be immediately obvious. It may be necessary to "address the underlying issue" in order to fully "address the main issue".