examine an issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine an issue" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the analysis or investigation of a particular topic or problem. For example, "In this report, we will examine an issue related to climate change." Alternative expressions include "analyze a problem" and "investigate a matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The French television channel, France 3, invited a half dozen international correspondents to examine an issue playing out in the French presidential campaign through their personal lens.

The New York Times

Composed of scientists, physicians and experts in a variety of fields, this nonpartisan organization has a policy and clear guidelines for conflict of interest and balance when assigning members to a committee to examine an issue.

The New York Times

Each episode will examine an issue like "What is consciousness?" or "Are we alone in the universe?" Other possible questions include "How does civilization affect the planet?" and "What is a virus, and how can it become a pandemic?" The questions — about science, technology, medicine and other subjects — are to be selected in collaboration with universities, including Princeton and Syracuse.

The New York Times - Arts

Today, we examine an issue that affects water, agriculture, and development in every congressional district.

Science Magazine

In her view representative opinions could arise only when citizens actually confronted one another in a public space, so that they could examine an issue from a number of different perspectives, modify their views, and enlarge their standpoint to incorporate that of others.

SEP

Let's first examine an issue that doesn't get enough attention in today's media -- summer learning loss.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A combination of dwindling fossil-fuel stocks in the North Sea, rising greenhouse-gas emissions and a high oil price pushed Tony Blair into launching an energy review last year to re-examine an issue that his government last looked at as recently as 2003.

The Economist

Lincoln had always been a slow, deliberate thinker, examining an issue from all sides.

The New York Times

As the Football League prepares to commence its long-awaited review on the subject, the Observer examines an issue that is threatening to undermine the integrity of the sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Doctors are problem-solvers in much the same way consultants have to be: examining an issue (cluster of symptoms), diagnosing the problem (illness) and designing a plan to help rectify the situation (treat or perhaps cure disease).

The New York Times

I find the atmosphere, when you sit with David Cameron and Nick Clegg and other senior colleagues examining an issue, it's a wonderfully refreshing rational discussion actually in which you know party identity is not the first consideration".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with adverbs like 'closely', 'thoroughly' or 'critically' to refine the intensity of the investigation.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using redundant adjectives like 'examine a potential issue that might happen'. Since an issue is already a point of discussion or a problem, and examining is a process of discovery, keep the sentence lean. Don't say 'examine into an issue'; the verb 'examine' is transitive and does not require the preposition 'into'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine an issue" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It consists of the base verb 'examine', the indefinite article 'an', and the noun 'issue'. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the act of investigating or analyzing a subject in detail. It often serves as the core action in introductory statements or research objectives, as seen in the provided examples.

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "examine an issue" is a robust and sophisticated tool for any writer's arsenal. Based on the data from Ludwig, it is a staple in high-quality journalism and academic research, appearing in prestigious outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. It serves as a clear signal to the reader that a deep, methodical analysis is forthcoming. Whether you are framing a scientific hypothesis or a news investigation, this phrase conveys a sense of professional rigor. While it is categorized as 'Uncommon' in terms of raw frequency compared to more generic verbs, its presence in authoritative sources gives it a high prestige score. Writers should feel confident using it in any formal or neutral context to introduce a thorough exploration of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

analyze a problem

Focuses more on breaking down a complex situation into smaller parts.

investigate a matter

Often implies a more formal or legalistic inquiry.

scrutinize a concern

Suggests a very close and perhaps critical inspection.

look into a situation

More idiomatic and slightly less formal than examine.

explore a topic

A softer, more open-ended approach to analysis.

delve into a subject

Metaphorical language suggesting depth and thoroughness.

address an issue

Implies taking action or responding to the issue rather than just looking at it.

evaluate a challenge

Focuses on judging the value or impact of the issue.

probe an affair

Carries a connotation of uncovering hidden details.

research a question

Specifically denotes an academic or data-driven investigation.

FAQs

How do I use "examine an issue" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a topic of study, for example: "This report will "examine an issue" that has long been ignored by policymakers."

What is the difference between examine and investigate?

While often interchangeable, to "investigate a matter" often implies looking for a specific cause or culprit, whereas to "examine an issue" is broader and focuses on understanding all aspects of a topic.

Is "examine an issue" formal enough for an academic paper?

Yes, it is highly appropriate. Alternatives like "analyze a problem" or "scrutinize a concern" are also excellent choices for scholarly writing.

Can I say 'examine into' an issue?

No, that is a common error. You should simply say "examine an issue". If you want to use a preposition, you can say "look into an issue" or "delve into an issue".