evade the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "evade the issue" is a perfectly correct and usable expression in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that someone is trying to avoid or sidestep a difficult or unpleasant topic or subject. For example: "The politician attempted to evade the issue with vague statements and platitudes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But you evade the issue.

The Guardian

Mr. Ferrer tried to evade the issue yesterday.

The New York Times

Albee was not interested, however, in this attempt to evade the issue.

The New Yorker

But gambling will grow if your politicians continue to evade the issue.

The Guardian - Opinion

For good or ill, moreover, modern social policy has been primarily the work of Democrats; they cannot evade the issue.

The New York Times

When Vietnam and the draft did come up at Stanford, several former dorm mates said, Mr. Romney did not evade the issue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Based on the published literature, the authors made recommendations on how the focal principles, such as test-driven development or requirements management, should be utilized to evade the issues.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

It's not as if he's evading the issue.

The New York Times - Sports

Well, for starters, his statement evades the issue of recusal.

The Washington Post

The draft evades the issue by defining Kosovo as a "territory".

The Economist

That assertion evaded the issue of direct Russian involvement by painting the soldiers as volunteers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "evade the issue", ensure it's clear what specific issue is being avoided. Provide context to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "evade the issue" without clearly specifying what the issue is. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Always provide context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evade the issue" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of avoiding or sidestepping a particular topic or problem. It describes the act of intentionally not addressing something directly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "evade the issue" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of avoiding a particular topic or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and general conversation. While it's a versatile phrase, clarity is crucial; always specify the issue being evaded to prevent confusion. Alternatives like ""skirt the issue"" or "dodge the question" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to provide context and clarity to effectively use this phrase in your writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skirt the issue

Implies avoiding direct engagement by going around the central point.

dodge the question

Focuses on avoiding a direct response to a specific question.

sidestep the problem

Highlights avoiding a problematic situation rather than addressing it directly.

avoid the topic

Directly refers to steering clear of a particular subject of discussion.

deflect the matter

Suggests redirecting attention away from a specific issue.

gloss over the difficulty

Indicates minimizing or downplaying a challenging aspect.

circumvent the concern

Implies finding a way around a worry or point of interest without directly facing it.

escape the subject

Focuses on getting away from a topic, often to avoid discomfort.

shirk the responsibility

Specifically refers to avoiding a duty or obligation.

bypass the subject

Indicates going around a topic without addressing it.

FAQs

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

You can use "evade the issue" to describe someone's avoidance of a problematic topic. For example, "The politician attempted to "skirt the issue" during the debate".

What's a more formal way to say "evade the issue"?

A more formal alternative to "evade the issue" could be "circumvent the concern", which suggests a more calculated avoidance.

What can I say instead of "evade the issue"?

You can use alternatives like "dodge the question", "avoid the topic", or "sidestep the problem" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to "evade the issue"?

While directness is often valued, sometimes it may be strategic to sidestep the problem temporarily to gather more information or avoid escalating a situation.