avoiding the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"avoiding the issue" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to intentionally avoiding talking about or addressing a problem or topic that is causing discomfort or conflict. Example: During the meeting, the leader kept avoiding the issue of budget cuts, causing frustration among the team members.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the courts kept avoiding the issue.

The New York Times

But avoiding the issue does not make it go away.

The New York Times

Earlier cabinet meetings offer clues as to why they might be avoiding the issue.

The New York Times

SEX -- Some stylized PG-13 lovemaking that gets the idea across while mostly avoiding the issue.

The New York Times

If you simply put heroin down you are avoiding the issue.

The Guardian

Avoiding the issue gives us temporary relief, but amplifies long-term problems.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Then again, you might be avoiding the issue completely — and appalled that someone like me would intrude upon your summer.

The New York Times

One acquaintance described Bellfield as an "animal", but that's another way of avoiding the issue of criminality.

Independent

And some Republican strategists privately say the president and his campaign are best served by avoiding the issue altogether.

The New York Times

She'd rather be lying on the sofa, reading her beloved Rumi and avoiding the issue of her suspected pregnancy.

The Guardian - Books

She did it, largely, by avoiding the issue of racial differences altogether in favor of fitting in.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics, consider whether "avoiding the issue" is the best approach, or if addressing it directly would lead to a more constructive outcome.

Common error

Don't assume that "avoiding the issue" will make it disappear; often, it allows the problem to grow and fester, leading to more significant complications later on. Addressing issues directly, even when uncomfortable, is usually the most effective strategy in the long run.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoiding the issue" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of deliberately evading or not addressing a particular problem or topic. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "avoiding the issue" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of deliberately not addressing a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse sources. While the phrase itself is neutral, its usage often carries a critical connotation, suggesting a potentially ineffective or detrimental strategy. As the analysis shows, it frequently appears in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating broad applicability. While it might be tempting to "avoid the issue", remember that direct engagement often leads to more constructive long-term outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sidestepping the issue

Indicates skillfully avoiding a direct response or engagement with the issue.

suppressing the issue

Focuses on actively preventing the issue from being discussed or known.

bypassing the issue

Suggests going around the issue, finding an alternate route or solution.

navigating the issue

Suggests carefully maneuvering around the issue without directly confronting it.

reducing the issue

Concentrates on diminishing the importance or impact of the issue.

dismissing the issue

Implies rejecting the issue as unimportant or irrelevant.

preventing the issue

Highlights actions taken to stop the issue from arising in the first place.

eliminating the issue

Conveys the complete removal or eradication of the issue.

overcoming the issue

Focuses on successfully resolving or conquering the issue.

addressing the issue

Represents the opposite action, directly dealing with the issue.

FAQs

How to use "avoiding the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "avoiding the issue" to describe the act of deliberately not addressing a problem or topic. For example, "The politician was accused of "avoiding the issue" of climate change during the debate."

What can I say instead of "avoiding the issue"?

You can use alternatives like "sidestepping the issue", "evading the issue", or "skirting the issue" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "avoiding the issue" and "addressing the issue"?

"Avoiding the issue" means deliberately not dealing with a problem, while "addressing the issue" means actively working to resolve it. They are opposite approaches.

When is "avoiding the issue" a good strategy?

"Avoiding the issue" might be a temporary strategy when immediate confrontation would be counterproductive or when more information is needed before taking action. However, it's rarely a long-term solution.