an issue of how

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an issue of how" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a problem or topic that involves the manner or method of doing something. Example: "The debate centers around an issue of how we should approach climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"It may be an issue of how you deliver.

The New York Times

"We're going to be making an issue of how she treated her workers".

The New York Times

"This is not an issue of how you pray or where you were born.

Independent

"It is an issue of how quickly people report their symptoms," Ms. Samaan said.

The New York Times

"There was also an issue of how independent our program could be".

The New York Times

"It is an issue of how to prevent certain lands, or certain countries, from being flooded".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Where there is money from trusts, there could be an issue of calculating how much money the spouse benefiting from a trust was spending each year.

The New York Times

If this is an issue of concern how would you act to allay or deal with these concerns?

Huffington Post

It's actually an issue of learning how to manage your doctor visits much like you manage other aspects of your life.

Huffington Post

There is still an outstanding issue of how 'correct' the external resources are.

Bioinformatics

"It's a political issue of how much you want to offend members of an oversight committee," Fisher said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an issue of how" when you want to emphasize that the method or manner of doing something is the central problem or focus of discussion. It's often used to introduce a discussion about solutions or strategies.

Common error

Avoid using "an issue of how" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "how to" or "the way to" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

Identifying a challenge or problem related to the methodology or approach. The phrase highlights that the core of the matter lies in the process itself, as supported by Ludwig's examples indicating discussions about strategies, solutions, and methods.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an issue of how" is a versatile phrase used to introduce discussions centered on the method or manner of addressing a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While it's generally acceptable, simpler alternatives might be preferable in informal settings. Its primary function is to frame discussions around methodologies, emphasizing the importance of the approach in finding solutions. Related phrases, such as "a matter of how" or "a question of how", offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of how

Changes the noun from "issue" to "matter", slightly softening the tone.

a question of how

Replaces "issue" with "question", framing it as an inquiry rather than a problem.

a problem of how

Substitutes "issue" with "problem", emphasizing the challenging aspect.

the challenge of how

Emphasizes the difficulty or challenge associated with the method.

the difficulty of how

Highlights the problematic aspect of determining the best course of action.

concerned with how

Focuses on the aspect of being "concerned", highlighting worry.

a point of how

Shifts the focus to a "point", indicating a specific aspect to consider.

regarding the way in which

Uses a more formal and detailed structure to express the manner of something.

a debate about how

Frames the situation as a "debate", suggesting differing opinions on the approach.

centered on how

Highlights that a discussion or situation "centered" around a methodology.

FAQs

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

You can use "an issue of how" to introduce a problem or topic concerning the method or manner of doing something. For example, "The main challenge is "an issue of how" we allocate resources efficiently".

What's a simpler way to say "an issue of how"?

Alternatives include "a matter of how", "a question of how", or simply "how to", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "an issue of how" instead of "how to"?

"An issue of how" is more appropriate when you want to emphasize the problematic or complex nature of finding the right method. "How to" is more direct and suitable for instructions or simple inquiries.

Is "an issue of how" formal or informal?

"An issue of how" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "how to" might be preferable.