determine the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "determine the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of identifying or clarifying a problem or topic that needs to be addressed. Example: "Before we can move forward with the project, we need to determine the issue that is causing the delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Three established principles determine the issue before us.

The New York Times

They determine the issue before it can begin to be discussed.

Independent

It took two minutes to determine the issue was one of power, not of public safety.

The New York Times - Sports

Three established principles determine the issue before us.... First, before "viability the woman has a right to choose to terminate her pregnancy".

The New York Times

On Monday, the Court considers whether to hear one or more cases during its upcoming term that would determine the issue in all fifty states.

The New Yorker

Negotiations were continuing on Monday night with the Senate crossbenchers whose votes will determine the issue, but the revelation of the list reveals which companies could be forced to publicise information for the first time.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"The Democratic leadership is going to determine the issues that see the light of day".

The New York Times

Surveys carried out in South African schools to determine the issues facing 14- to 20-year-olds before the new series offer a glimpse of the dangers they face.

The Guardian

In addition, logistic diagnostics were used to determine the issues of heteroskedasticity and model fit.

BMC Health Services Research

Youth work with a support worker to determine the issues that they feel put them at risk and then build goals on trying to address those issues.

BMJ Open

To determine the issues and viewpoints concerning FGC in Iraqi Kurdistan Region a comprehensive review of literature [ 1, 7, 8, 16- 19] and media reports was conducted.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determine the issue", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be identified or resolved. Be specific about the issue's nature and scope to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "determine the issue" in contexts where the issue is already well-defined. Overusing this phrase in obvious situations can make your writing sound redundant. Instead, move directly to discussing the specifics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine the issue" functions as a verb phrase with a transitive verb ("determine") followed by a noun phrase ("the issue"). Its primary function is to describe the act of identifying or clarifying a specific problem or subject matter, which aligns with the usage provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine the issue" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies the act of identifying or clarifying a problem. Ludwig indicates that it's most commonly found in news, academic, and general contexts. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring the context warrants its use and avoiding redundancy. Alternatives such as "identify the problem" or ""ascertain the matter"" can provide nuanced alternatives. Ultimately, the phrase serves to emphasize the critical step of problem definition, a conclusion supported by Ludwig's examples and assessments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identify the problem

Focuses more specifically on identifying a problem rather than a broader issue.

ascertain the matter

Uses more formal language to refer to finding something out.

clarify the subject

Emphasizes the act of making the subject clearer and more understandable.

resolve the matter

Shifts the focus to solving the problem, not just identifying it.

investigate the question

Implies a more in-depth inquiry or examination.

diagnose the situation

Borrows from medical terminology, suggesting a careful analysis.

pinpoint the concern

Focuses on identifying a specific worry or concern.

understand the challenge

Highlights the act of comprehending a difficulty or obstacle.

define the problem

Focuses on setting out the boundaries or nature of the issue.

analyze the situation

Suggests a detailed examination to understand the components of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "determine the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "determine the issue" to introduce the process of identifying a problem. For example, "Before proceeding, we must /s/identify+the+problem", or /s/clarify+the+subject".

What is a more formal way to say "determine the issue"?

A more formal alternative to "determine the issue" is to "ascertain the matter", which carries a tone of professional investigation.

Is it always necessary to "determine the issue" before taking action?

While not always explicitly stated, understanding or "pinpointing the concern" before acting is crucial to ensure that actions are correctly directed.

What's the difference between "determine the issue" and "resolve the matter"?

"Determine the issue" focuses on identifying and understanding a problem. "Resolve the matter" implies that the issue is already known and action is being taken to solve it.