establish the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"establish the issue" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to introduce or define the problem or topic being discussed. Example: "Before we begin working on a solution, it's important to establish the issue at hand and clearly define our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"The key thing was to establish the issue of change as sort of a defining fault line in the debate," explained Michael D. McCurry, the former Clinton press secretary who is now Mr. Kerry's lead spokesman on the road.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Dr. Macfarlane has established the issue as a priority, so a vote is possible before the end of the year.

The New York Times

As for 2013, Kornacki says Obama's push for firearm control might be mostly symbolic: Like with LBJ in '68, the best achievement for Obama here may simply be proving that it's possible to do something, anything on guns – and re-establishing the issue as a priority for Democrats going forward.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once transgenically labelled lines for all of these cell types are established, the issue of where and when APCs and lymphocytes interact can be addressed by in vivo imaging in developing zebrafish.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Norinaga's work established the issues of language and textuality as central methodological concerns within Kokugaku discourse and made the exposition of cultural and social difference (first in relation to China and later with the West) a central theme.

SEP

Mean streets: 'The Big Issue' story 11 SEPTEMBER 1991 *John Bird and Gordon Roddick establish 'The Big Issue', a monthly magazine to create a legitimate form of income for the homeless in Britain inspired by 'Street News' in New York.

Independent

Once the conditions for a nondiscriminatory and just society with a representative police service are established, the weapons issue will take care of itself.

The New York Times

"I've become more and more convinced that we should establish the mental health issue as our common ground".

The New York Times

The retailer has launched an investigation headed by Deloitte, and says it is now working to establish the impact of the issue on its full-year results.

BBC

Interviewing community leaders gathered qualifying data about community size and income to establish the scale of the issue and test the reported impacts at the community level.

Pastoralism

It has launched an investigation headed by Deloitte, and says it is now working to establish the impact of the issue on its full-year results.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish the issue", ensure you clearly articulate the core problem or question being addressed. This sets a solid foundation for subsequent discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "establish the issue" without providing sufficient context or detail about what the issue actually entails. Vague pronouncements hinder understanding and effective problem-solving.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "establish the issue" is to act as a verbal phrase used to introduce or define a specific problem or topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a commonly used phrase for setting the stage for discussion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "establish the issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that functions to introduce or define a particular problem or topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to provide clarity and set the stage for further discussion or analysis. While suitable for a range of contexts, from news to science, its usage emphasizes the need for a clear articulation of the core problem to facilitate effective communication. Alternative phrases like "define the issue" or "determine the issue" can be considered for nuanced contexts. When writing, ensure to avoid vagueness and provide sufficient detail for clear understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

determine the issue

Focuses on finding out or deciding what the issue actually is.

define the issue

Emphasizes setting out the boundaries and characteristics of the issue.

investigate the issue

Implies a thorough examination to uncover the details of the issue.

clarify the issue

Highlights making the issue easier to understand.

address the issue

Focuses on dealing with or resolving the issue.

settle the issue

Suggests resolving a contentious point or matter.

reach the issue

Highlights directly approaching or confronting the subject at hand.

formulate the issue

Emphasizes the process of developing a clear and concise statement of the issue.

assess the issue

Implies evaluating the importance or impact of the issue.

draw the issue

Highlights the activity of outlining or defining the extent or nature of the problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "establish the issue" to introduce a problem or topic that needs to be addressed. For example, "Before we start brainstorming solutions, we need to "establish the issue" clearly".

What's a formal alternative to "establish the issue"?

A more formal alternative would be "define the problem" or "formulate the question". These alternatives are suitable for academic or professional contexts where precision is valued.

Is it better to say "establish the issue" or "identify the issue"?

"Establish the issue" implies setting the terms and parameters of the discussion, while "identify the issue" simply means recognizing what the issue is. The best choice depends on whether you are defining the issue or merely acknowledging its existence.

What does it mean to "establish the issue"?

To "establish the issue" means to clearly define and present a particular problem, topic, or area of concern that needs to be addressed, understood, or resolved. It involves setting the framework for further discussion or action.