be a major issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a major issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a problem or concern that is significant or impactful in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding for the project could be a major issue that affects its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Phobias can be a major issue.

Independent

Traffic will be a major issue".

The New York Times

The subject of homosexuality continued to be a major issue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ordinarily, this would not be a major issue.

The New York Times - Sports

"That would be a major issue for us".

The New York Times - Sports

Staff retention will also be a major issue.

The Guardian

The basic usability of consumer products with embedded electronics continues to be a major issue.

Product Experience

"That is going to be a major issue as we go forward".

The Guardian

The bioclimatic situation in cities will be a major issue for future planning authorities.

Urban Climate

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Monitoring, Evaluation and Feedback: It is reported to be a major issue during program implementation.

Unicef

Underreporting and under diagnosis is considered to be a major issue, particularly among adults.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be a major issue", ensure the context clearly establishes the impact or consequences of the issue being discussed. For instance, "Climate change will be a major issue for coastal communities."

Common error

Avoid using "be a major issue" when the concern is relatively minor or insignificant. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility. Instead, reserve it for situations with genuinely significant consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a major issue" functions as a predicate nominative, identifying a subject as a significant problem or concern. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be a major issue" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for highlighting a significant problem or concern. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent appearance across various sources, including news, science, and business. While versatile, remember to reserve it for issues with genuine impact to maintain its credibility. Consider alternatives such as "be a critical problem" or "be a significant concern" to fine-tune the tone of your writing. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to emphasize importance and can be used in neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a critical problem

Replaces "major" with "critical", emphasizing the severity of the problem. The similarity is very high.

be a significant concern

Replaces "issue" with "concern" and "major" with "significant", softening the tone slightly. The similarity is very high.

pose a serious challenge

Uses a different structure to express a similar idea, focusing on the challenge rather than the issue itself. The similarity is high.

present a substantial difficulty

Replaces "major issue" with "substantial difficulty", highlighting the difficulty aspect. The similarity is high.

constitute a key challenge

Emphasizes the importance of the challenge, similar to a major issue. The similarity is high.

be a primary obstacle

Focuses on the hindrance aspect of the issue. The similarity is medium.

raise a crucial question

Shifts the focus to a question that needs to be addressed, stemming from the issue. The similarity is medium.

be a central point of contention

Highlights the disagreement or conflict associated with the issue. The similarity is medium.

be an overriding imperative

Elevates the importance to a necessity. The similarity is medium.

be a considerable impediment

Uses "impediment" to underscore the hindering nature of the issue. The similarity is medium.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "be a major issue"?

You can use alternatives like "be a critical problem", "be a significant concern", or "pose a serious challenge" depending on the context.

How can I use "be a major issue" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight a significant problem. For example, "The lack of funding could be a major issue for the project's success."

Is it appropriate to use "be a major issue" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate, especially when discussing important challenges or problems. However, consider more formal alternatives like "present a substantial difficulty" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "be a major issue" and "be a minor issue"?

"Be a major issue" indicates a significant problem with substantial consequences, while "be a minor issue" suggests a small problem that is easily resolved.