fatal issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"fatal issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a problem that has severe, possibly irreversible consequences. For example, "The increase in global temperatures is a fatal issue that must be addressed urgently."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Lafora disease is a progressive myoclonus epilepsy with an early fatal issue.

Biochimie

A fatal issue of his illness had for some weeks been apprehended.

The Guardian

Early last night it became known that the distinguished novelist had been seized with paralysis, at his residence, Gadshill, Kent, and the brief information given in the telegram pointed to the probability of a fatal issue.

The Guardian - Books

America was the greatest and the fatal issue, and North could not avoid it because the English squires in Parliament agreed with their king that America must pay for its own defense and for its share of the debt remaining from the war that had given it security.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the past decades, the environmental problem, especially wastewater induced by organic dye pollutants, has become a fatal issue accompanying the rapid industry growth, which restricted the sustainable development of human beings [1 3].

Nanoscale Research Letters

We analyzed the characteristics and circumstances of unexpected deaths that occurred in our center (450 beds) over the last ten years (2005-2014), with attention on risk factors that could have been present before the fatal issue.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

None of this is particularly shocking news: we all know that social relationships can cause stress, and we know that stress leads to potentially fatal issues such as cardiovascular disease.

Independent

There are also other more fatal issues, says Ms Ter-Minasyan.

BBC

Yet under the current administration, it seems that ICE almost goes out of its way to punish educated immigrants who have been present in the country for a long period of time, cavalierly breaking up families, intact and healthy social units, for the sake of rectifying its own inept bureaucratic mistakes, or elevating petty technical violations to fatal issues of national security.

Huffington Post

Although fatal issues have been reported in severe cytomegalovirus infection in such individuals[ 4], we decided not to administer ganciclovir to our patient in the view of a relatively modest viral load, preserved white blood cell count and absence of detectable CMV on livr biopsy.

BMC Gastroenterology

Most people don't believe suicide can be prevented -- they don't even think of suicide as the fatal outcome of a health issue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fatal issue", ensure the context clearly supports the severity of the problem. This phrase is most appropriate when discussing matters of life, death, or irreversible damage.

Common error

Avoid using "fatal issue" for minor inconveniences or problems that do not have significant, potentially irreversible consequences. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fatal issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "fatal" modifies the noun "issue". It serves to describe a problem or situation that carries a significant risk of death or irreversible, negative consequences, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fatal issue" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a problem with severe, potentially deadly, consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its usage is more common in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. While not overly frequent, the phrase serves to underscore the urgency and importance of the problem. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring the context warrants the severity implied. For less dramatic situations, consider alternatives like "serious problem" or "critical matter".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

life-threatening matter

Directly states the potential for the issue to cause death.

deadly situation

It emphasizes the life-threatening nature of the overall situation.

deadly consequence

Focuses on the outcome being death or severe harm, highlighting the result of the issue.

lethal problem

Emphasizes the life-threatening nature of the problem.

critical threat

Highlights the severity and danger posed by the issue.

serious hazard

Focuses on the dangerous nature of the issue, implying potential harm.

grave concern

Emphasizes the weighty and alarming nature of the problem.

dire predicament

Highlights the urgent and negative situation created by the issue.

catastrophic situation

Focuses on the potential for widespread damage and devastation.

terminal case

Implies that the situation is irreversible and will lead to a negative end.

FAQs

How can I use "fatal issue" in a sentence?

You can use "fatal issue" to describe a situation or problem that has a high likelihood of causing death or irreversible negative consequences. For example, "Ignoring climate change is a "fatal issue" for future generations".

What are some alternatives to saying "fatal issue"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "deadly consequence", "critical threat", or "grave concern".

Is "fatal issue" too dramatic for formal writing?

While "fatal issue" is acceptable in formal writing, consider your audience and the overall tone. If a more subdued approach is needed, alternatives like "serious problem" or "critical matter" may be more appropriate.

Can "fatal issue" be used in a positive context?

No, "fatal issue" always carries a negative connotation, implying severe and undesirable outcomes. It should not be used in any context that is meant to be positive or optimistic.