face of the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "face of the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main aspect or surface level of a problem or topic. Example: "When addressing climate change, we must first understand the face of the issue before diving deeper into its complexities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That would have made him the face of the issue.

The New Yorker

He anchors his long putter, and since November, when the United States Golf Association and the Royal & Ancient announced their proposed ban on the stroke, Bradley has become the public face of the issue because he was the first golfer to win a major using an anchored stroke.

The New York Times - Sports

While the V.A. has been the public face of the issue, veterans are in many ways an amplification of the same factors that drive suicide in the broader American population: a fragmented health care system, a shortage of mental health resources, especially in rural areas, a lack of funding for suicide research and easy access to guns.

The New York Times

Instead, as the issue has grown more contentious with the recent passage of a sprawling 1,200-page 1,200-pagel, Ryan haSenateed quietly billnd the scenes, declining to become the public face of the issue and leaving the effoRyanithast any prominent sponsors among the House GOP leadership.

The Washington Post

In conjunction with a 2018-19 Bass Connections project, the group will evaluate different strategies to address the wastewater management problem, combining engineering, policy, economic, and scientific solutions, as well as creatively representing the human face of the issue.

Duke University

So this walk may seem small; it likely won't change the face of the issue overnight, but seeds don't produce fruit the moment you put them in the ground.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"What Sheila did is to put a human face of the issues that we are confronted with," said ICC Canada president, Nancy Karetak-LiNancy.

Huffington Post

Collaboration is queen -- the fight for the top rung of the ladder is becoming irrelevant in the face of the issues and opportunities we face as a global community.

Huffington Post

PEN gives a name and a face to the issue of censorship.

The Guardian - Opinion

Taking the simple step of putting a face to the issue can win support.

University of California, Berkeley

Face-to-face discussion of the issue was generally preferred with written information seen as a useful adjunct.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "face of the issue" to introduce a well-known or easily recognizable aspect of a complex problem. It helps to ground the discussion before delving into more nuanced details.

Common error

Avoid using "face of the issue" excessively in formal reports or academic papers where a more precise and analytical term might be more appropriate. Consider using more specific terminology that directly relates to the core of the discussion, such as "key aspect", "primary concern", or "central theme."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "face of the issue" functions as a noun phrase often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies the most visible, public, or easily understood aspect of a problem or situation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "face of the issue" is a noun phrase used to describe the most visible or easily understood aspect of a problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media and academic contexts, indicating a neutral register. While useful for simplifying complex topics, it is important to avoid overuse in formal writing, where more specific terminology may be appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "public image of the matter" or "visible aspect of the problem" to vary your language. It is essential to use this phrase thoughtfully to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public image of the matter

Replaces "face" with "public image" and "issue" with "matter", focusing on public perception.

visible aspect of the problem

Substitutes "face" with "visible aspect" and "issue" with "problem", highlighting the apparent element.

chief representative of the topic

Changes the metaphor to focus on representation rather than appearance, with "chief representative" replacing "face".

primary manifestation of the concern

Emphasizes the way a concern is shown or expressed, swapping "face" for "primary manifestation".

key embodiment of the question

Highlights the aspect of embodying or personifying a question, replacing "face" with "key embodiment".

most apparent element of the situation

Focuses on the element that is easiest to notice or understand about a situation, replacing "face" with "most apparent element".

leading example of the challenge

Replaces "face" with "leading example", focusing on the idea of something serving as a prime illustration of the challenge.

human side of the problem

Highlights the connection to people affected by the issue, substituting "face" with "human side".

outward appearance of the matter

Focuses on the superficial or external aspect, replacing "face" with "outward appearance".

initial impression of the subject

Highlights first thoughts, replacing "face" with "initial impression".

FAQs

How can I use "face of the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "face of the issue" to refer to the most visible or prominent aspect of a problem. For example, "Poverty is often the "face of the issue" when discussing global inequality."

What's a synonym for "face of the issue"?

Alternatives to "face of the issue" include phrases like "public image of the matter", "visible aspect of the problem", or "chief representative of the topic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "face of the issue" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "face of the issue" when you want to highlight the most obvious or widely recognized aspect of a problem or situation. However, be mindful of the context and choose more specific terminology if needed.

Is "face of the issue" formal or informal?

The phrase "face of the issue" is generally considered neutral. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing may benefit from more precise or technical language.