basic issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"basic issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun phrase to refer to an element, theme, or problem that is essential or important. For example: "The basic issue facing the company is how to increase profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The basic issue is efficacy, not legality.

The New York Times

That's the basic issue here.

The New York Times - Sports

Let's address the basic issue.

The Guardian - Sport

There is an even more basic issue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is a basic issue of fairness.

The Guardian

And this is the basic issue.

The Guardian - Sport

Look here, that's a pretty basic issue.

The New Yorker

"But there is a basic issue of fairness.

The Guardian

"This is a basic issue that colors everything.

The New York Times

And that is a basic issue of fairness.

The Guardian

For Ms. Novak, the basic issue was freedom of speech.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basic issue", ensure it clearly identifies the core problem or question to avoid ambiguity. Frame it concisely to guide the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "basic issue" when a more specific term like "fundamental problem" or "core concern" would better capture the nature and scope of the subject at hand. Tailor your vocabulary to improve precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basic issue" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a fundamental problem or point of contention, which is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basic issue" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to identify a fundamental problem or point of contention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to highlight the core aspect of a situation across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "fundamental problem" or "core concern" may offer more nuance, "basic issue" provides a clear and direct way to frame essential matters. When using this phrase, focus on concisely defining the central problem to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamental problem

Changes "issue" to "problem", emphasizing the problematic nature of the core element.

core concern

Replaces "basic issue" with "core concern", highlighting the central point of worry or interest.

central question

Substitutes "basic issue" with "central question", focusing on the key inquiry to be addressed.

main point

Replaces "basic issue" with "main point", simplifying the expression to highlight the primary idea.

key element

Changes "basic issue" to "key element", focusing on an essential component.

primary focus

Replaces "basic issue" with "primary focus", shifting the emphasis to the main area of attention.

underlying problem

Modifies "basic issue" to "underlying problem", emphasizing a hidden or less obvious issue.

root cause

Substitutes "basic issue" with "root cause", pinpointing the fundamental origin of a problem.

fundamental principle

Changes "issue" to "principle", shifting the context to a foundational rule or belief.

essential matter

Replaces "basic issue" with "essential matter", underscoring the critical importance of the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "basic issue" in a sentence?

You can use "basic issue" to highlight the most important problem or question. For example, "The "basic issue" is whether we can afford this project".

What are some alternatives to "basic issue"?

Alternatives include "fundamental problem", "core concern", or "central question", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to use "basic issue" or "main issue"?

Both "basic issue" and "main issue" are correct, but "basic issue" emphasizes the fundamental nature of the problem, while "main issue" simply points to the most important one.

What's the difference between "basic issue" and "underlying problem"?

"Basic issue" refers to the key problem, while "underlying problem" suggests a less obvious issue that influences other problems.