an issue in and of itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an issue in and of itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a particular issue is significant or problematic on its own, independent of other factors. Example: "While there are many factors to consider, the lack of communication is an issue in and of itself that needs to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

While that's not an issue in and of itself, for developers it presents a massive challenge as they have to programme their apps to support multiple versions of Android – all with differing capabilities.

The Guardian - Tech

The problem with Johnson's statement wasn't so much that he was publicly shaming individuals he still had a week of filming with (though that's an issue in and of itself, according to TMZ) it's that he was so vague about who he was attempting to shame. .

Los Angeles Times

Self-reported compliance is an issue in and of itself because people tend to over-report changes in exercise levels.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Describe an issue in detail.

WikiHow

The issue of trust is a critical issue in health product and service markets in LMICs.

Globalization and Health

However, the issue of long-term toxicities in adult life was an issue of growing importance.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The complexity of reasoning is a fundamental issue in AI.

Artificial Intelligence

We investigated this issue in a large cohort of children.

BMC Gastroenterology

In this issue and in a recent issue of Cell, Vahedi et al.

Cell

Why, I asked, has this issue of blame remained such a hot-button issue in New Orleans?

The New Yorker

Next, issues concerning causation are discussed and then, issues in the metaphysics of time and change.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the independence of the issue from other related concerns. This will avoid any confusion about the scope of the problem you are addressing.

Common error

Avoid using "an issue in and of itself" repeatedly within a single, complex argument. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and detract from the clarity of your overall point. Instead, vary your language to highlight different facets of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an issue in and of itself" functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the inherent significance or problematic nature of something independently of other considerations. It is often used to highlight a core concern within a broader context. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an issue in and of itself" is a grammatically correct way to highlight the independent significance of a problem or concern. While relatively rare in usage, it appears in diverse contexts, including news, scientific publications, and general writing, to underscore that a particular matter is important on its own merits. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and understanding its function can help writers emphasize key points effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a problem in its own right

Emphasizes that something is problematic independently.

a concern by itself

Highlights that something is worrying without needing other factors.

inherently problematic

Focuses on the intrinsic problematic nature of something.

intrinsically significant

Highlights the inherent importance or value of something.

a self-contained problem

Indicates that the issue is complete and separate.

a standalone concern

Similar to "a concern by itself" but with a slight emphasis on independence.

fundamentally flawed

Suggests a deep, inherent problem within something.

problematic per se

Latin-derived phrase emphasizing the issue is problematic by its very nature.

significant on its own merits

Highlights that something is important based on its own qualities.

independently important

Focuses on the separate and distinct importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "an issue in and of itself" in a sentence?

You can use "an issue in and of itself" to emphasize that a particular problem or concern is significant on its own, irrespective of other related factors. For instance: "The lack of funding is "an issue in and of itself", regardless of the project's other challenges."

What are some alternatives to "an issue in and of itself"?

Alternatives include "a problem in its own right", "a concern by itself", or "inherently problematic". These phrases convey a similar meaning of standalone significance or inherent problems.

Is it grammatically correct to use "an issue in and of itself"?

Yes, the phrase "an issue in and of itself" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to emphasize that a specific issue is important or problematic on its own.

What is the difference between "an issue in and of itself" and "a related issue"?

"An issue in and of itself" highlights the self-contained nature of a problem. "A related issue" simply indicates a connection to another problem, without necessarily implying that it's significant on its own. The former emphasizes independence, while the latter emphasizes connection.