an issue of scale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an issue of scale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing problems or considerations that arise due to the size or extent of something, often in contexts like business, science, or technology. Example: "The project faced significant challenges, as it was ultimately an issue of scale that affected our resources and timelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Maybe it is an issue of scale.

The New York Times

Keates said: "It's not an issue of scale.

The Guardian

But he said that the difference was "an issue of scale" and that his agency was prepared to handle the increase in applications that an immigration overhaul would spur.

The New York Times

And there's an issue of scale - bigger often isn't better.

BBC

Largely it's an issue of scale against a system.

Huffington Post

To some extent this is an issue of scale— there are far more medical oncologists than radiation oncologists, e.g. in the USA there are 14 000 medical oncologists but only 4000 radiation oncologists (Smith et al, 2010; Kirkwood et al, 2013).

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And if we now convolve this with this, that results in simply shifting this spectrum except for an issue of a scale factor shifting this spectrum back down to the origin.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More widely, there will be renewed questions about whether the International Olympic Committee is the right body to be taking a lead on battling an issue of such scale and whether there is a need for greater United Nations and European Union engagement.

The Guardian - Sport

The EU development commissioner Andris Piebalgs has said that youth unemployment is now "firmly on the international agenda" but what can be done in practical and policy terms to tackle an issue of this scale?

The Guardian

It's hard to say from issue #1, but there's certainly plenty of fertile ground for it, and if any major comic company is going to tackle an issue of that scale, it's Marvel.

Vice

This contrast can most likely be explained as an issue of spatial scale.

BMC Ecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the challenges of expanding a project or business, use "an issue of scale" to highlight that the core problem lies in managing increased complexity or volume.

Common error

Avoid using "an issue of scale" when you actually mean "an issue of scope". Scale refers to size or quantity, while scope refers to the range or extent of something. If the problem is about the breadth of the project, "scope" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an issue of scale" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a problem or challenge related to the size or magnitude of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an issue of scale" is a noun phrase used to describe problems that arise from the size or magnitude of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it is used in diverse contexts like News & Media, Science and Academia. When writing, remember that "scale" refers to size, not scope, and use this phrase when the core problem relates to managing complexity or volume. Alternatives include ""a matter of size"" or ""a question of magnitude"". Key sources using this phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a matter of size

Focuses more directly on physical dimensions or extent.

a question of magnitude

Emphasizes the importance or significance of the size.

a problem of scope

Highlights the breadth or range of the issue.

a scaling problem

Specifically relates to challenges encountered when increasing size or capacity.

a size-related challenge

Directly connects the difficulty to the dimensions involved.

a dimension-related concern

Highlights the dimensional aspect as the central issue.

an extent-related problem

Focuses on the degree to which something reaches or stretches.

the magnitude of the problem

Emphasizes the scale or severity of the problem itself.

the size of the challenge

Directly refers to the physical or metaphorical size affecting the task.

a large-scale problem

Suggests that the problem affects a broad area or involves many elements.

FAQs

How do you use "an issue of scale" in a sentence?

You can use "an issue of scale" to describe a problem or challenge that arises because of the size or extent of something. For instance, "The company's biggest challenge is "an issue of scale" when expanding into new markets".

What are some alternatives to saying "an issue of scale"?

Alternatives to "an issue of scale" include "a matter of size", "a question of magnitude", or "a scaling problem", depending on the specific context.

Is "an issue of scale" formal or informal?

"An issue of scale" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more common in professional or analytical discussions.

What does "an issue of scale" mean?

"An issue of scale" refers to a problem or consideration that arises due to the size, extent, or magnitude of something. It often relates to challenges in managing larger quantities or complexities.