difficult issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult issues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing complex or challenging topics that require careful consideration or problem-solving. Example: "The committee is currently addressing several difficult issues related to funding and resource allocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They are difficult issues.

The New York Times

Still, there remain difficult issues.

The New York Times

These are difficult issues".

The Guardian

These are difficult issues for us".

The Guardian

Mr Suen has skirted these difficult issues.

The Economist

"There are some difficult issues," they said.

Independent

More difficult issues would follow.

The New York Times

There are difficult issues here.

The Guardian

Population growth raises difficult issues about responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She doesn't avoid difficult issues or questions.

The Guardian - Books

Communicate with parents about your approach to discussing difficult issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing potentially divisive topics, using "difficult issues" can provide a neutral and professional tone. This avoids immediately framing the discussion in a negative light.

Common error

While softening language can be helpful, avoid replacing "difficult issues" with overly vague terms. Clarity is crucial; ensure your audience understands the specific challenges you're addressing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult issues" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "issues". It typically serves to identify and categorize subjects that are challenging or problematic. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult issues" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to refer to complex or challenging topics. As confirmed by Ludwig, its frequent appearance in news, science, and formal business contexts highlights its versatility across diverse fields. While many semantically related alternatives exist—such as "challenging problems" or ""complex matters""—"difficult issues" maintains a neutral yet professional tone. To use it effectively, ensure clarity, avoid overly vague language, and be mindful of the specific context in which it's employed. With a high expert rating based on grammatical correctness and source authority, "difficult issues" remains a reliable choice for conveying complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging problems

Replaces "issues" with "problems" emphasizing the problematic nature.

complicated challenges

Emphasizes both the complexity and the challenging nature of the topics.

complex matters

Substitutes "difficult" with "complex" and "issues" with "matters" suggesting intricacy.

intricate problems

Uses "intricate" to highlight the detailed and complex nature of the problems.

thorny questions

Replaces "difficult" with "thorny" implying a prickly or sensitive nature to the questions.

critical concerns

Substitutes "difficult" with "critical", underlining the importance and urgency of the concerns.

sensitive subjects

Substitutes "difficult" with "sensitive" and "issues" with "subjects" highlighting the delicate nature.

vexing questions

Replaces "difficult" with "vexing", indicating that the questions are causing irritation or annoyance.

troublesome areas

Replaces "difficult" with "troublesome" and "issues" with "areas" emphasizing the problematic aspect and shifting the focus to domains.

delicate situations

Substitutes "difficult" with "delicate" and "issues" with "situations", highlighting the fragility and need for careful handling.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult issues" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult issues" to refer to complex or challenging topics that require careful consideration. For example, "The team is working to resolve several "complex matters".".

What phrases can I use instead of "difficult issues"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "challenging problems", "sensitive subjects", or "complicated challenges", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "difficult issues" or "challenges"?

While both are acceptable, "difficult issues" often implies a need for discussion and resolution, whereas "challenges" may focus more on the obstacles themselves. The best choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What's the difference between "difficult issues" and "complex problems"?

"Difficult issues" highlights the controversial or sensitive nature of the subject, while "complex problems" emphasizes the complicated nature of the situation and the problems that require careful analysis.