an underlying issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an underlying issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental problem or concern that is not immediately obvious but affects a situation or outcome. Example: "While the team focused on the visible symptoms of the project delays, they failed to address the underlying issue of poor communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"There's an underlying issue of trusting professionals to do the best thing for children.

The Guardian

Reuters and Google have only made concrete an underlying issue that has always existed in America.

The New York Times

That's an underlying issue as the Federal Communications Commission decides tomorrow whether to loosen a variety of media ownership restrictions.

The New York Times

Although not mentioned in Tuesday's meetings, a territorial dispute over Hatay, a border province that became part of Turkey in 1939, remains an underlying issue.

The New York Times

As Dr. Bales views it, an underlying issue behind all of these problems is that living indoors suppresses cats' natural hunting instincts.

The New York Times

Chances are she'll find an underlying issue: a problem at home, an illness, the fact that he doesn't believe he's been treated fairly at work.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

That may mean probing to find out if the problem is actually a symptom of a larger underlying issue.

Forbes

But these criticisms fail to address an important underlying issue — the growing problem of patronage and cronyism that is infecting this critical agency, which operates the region's airports, bridges, tunnels, ports and the PATH train system.

The New York Times

Once that's done, though, a key underlying issue will remain unresolved, and will continue to pose a far greater threat to King and Christie's constituents than simple incompetence ever could.

The New Yorker

But there is a serious underlying issue here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unfortunately, this village mentality is a prevalent underlying issue in Japan, and reared its ugly head in our think tank's investigation into the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an underlying issue" to transition from discussing symptoms of a problem to its fundamental cause, adding depth to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "an underlying issue" without explaining how it connects to the more obvious or immediate problems. Failing to make this connection can leave your analysis incomplete and less persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an underlying issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a fundamental, often unseen, problem affecting a situation. Ludwig AI provides examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an underlying issue" is a common and versatile expression used to identify a fundamental problem that affects various situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts. Recognizing and addressing these underlying issues is crucial for effective problem-solving, moving beyond surface-level symptoms to tackle the root causes. When using this phrase, ensure you connect it to the observable problems it influences for clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental problem

Focuses on the basic and essential nature of the problem.

a root cause

Highlights the origin or source from which the issue arises.

a hidden problem

Emphasizes the concealed or not easily visible aspect of the issue.

a latent issue

Suggests the issue is present but not yet active or fully developed.

an inherent problem

Indicates that the problem is a natural or essential part of something.

a concealed difficulty

Highlights that the difficulty is hidden from plain sight.

a core issue

Focuses on the central or most important aspect of the problem.

a systemic problem

Implies that the problem is related to the system's fundamental issues.

a deep-seated issue

Suggests that the problem is firmly established and difficult to change.

a primary concern

Highlights the importance and significance of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "an underlying issue" in a sentence?

You can use "an underlying issue" to introduce a fundamental problem that's not immediately apparent but influences other issues. For example, "The company's poor performance was due to "an underlying issue": a lack of employee training."

What's a good alternative to "an underlying issue"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a fundamental problem", "a root cause", or "a hidden problem".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an underlying issue"?

Use "an underlying issue" when you want to emphasize that a visible problem is a symptom of a more fundamental, less obvious problem. It's appropriate when you want to encourage deeper analysis or investigation.

Is there a difference between "an underlying issue" and "a symptom"?

"An underlying issue" is the fundamental problem, while "a symptom" is a visible manifestation of that problem. Addressing the symptom without addressing "an underlying issue" will likely only provide a temporary solution.