fine issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fine issue" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted in contexts discussing minor problems or topics, but it is not standard. Example: "While the project is progressing well, there is a fine issue regarding the budget allocation that needs to be addressed."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

— Patrick Farrell Edible Manhattan: Here's a fine issue devoted to drink in New York.

The New York Times

Rodney Strong's Northern Sonoma Reserve 1995 cabernet is another fine issue from this well-known winery, with lots of fruit in a medium-bodied concentrated wine.

The New York Times - Food

Thank you, gentlemen for your hard work and contributions together we have assembled another fine issue.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was the third-largest fine issued by NASD.

The New York Times

Despite a small fine issued to the shipping agent, none of the key players were prosecuted.

Independent

The largest fine issued for cartel activity in Europe was €855m (£580m) for a vitamins cartel.

The Guardian - Business

"The first jaywalking fine issued in Naples in 200 years," Corrado Gabriele, the program's main institutional sponsor, said dryly.

The New York Times

It is the largest fine issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the body that regulates accountants, which has also given Deloitte a severe reprimand.

The Guardian - Business

It's from the fine issued against Lloyds by the Fnancial Services Authority in 2003, when the bank was engaged in mis-selling investment bonds.

The Guardian - Business

The argument was about a fine issued the day before to a worker with the group, who had crossed the street just a few steps from a crosswalk.

The New York Times

$20 million: The fine issued on Thursday from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for violating rules on lending to members of the military.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fine issue", ensure the context clearly indicates that the issue is minor or subtle. Using it in formal contexts may require a more precise and descriptive term.

Common error

Avoid using "fine issue" when the problem is actually significant. This can downplay the severity of the situation and mislead your audience. Use stronger terms like "critical problem" or "major concern" when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fine issue" functions as an adjective-noun construction, where "fine" modifies the noun "issue". It's used to describe the nature or quality of the issue being discussed. Ludwig AI mentions that it is grammatically acceptable but suggests using caution because it may not always convey a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fine issue" is a phrase that describes a minor or subtle problem. Ludwig AI advises caution due to its infrequent and sometimes ambiguous use. While grammatically correct, it's less common than alternatives like "minor issue" or "slight concern". Its register is generally neutral to informal, and it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. Therefore, when using "fine issue", ensure that it clearly reflects the intended meaning and is appropriate for the context. Avoid overstating the importance of the issue it describes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor problem

Replaces "fine" with "minor", emphasizing the insignificance of the issue.

slight concern

Substitutes "issue" with "concern", highlighting a feeling of mild worry.

small matter

Replaces "issue" with "matter", indicating a problem of little importance.

trivial problem

Replaces "fine" with "trivial", stressing the unimportance of the problem.

insignificant detail

Replaces "issue" with "detail", focusing on a small and unimportant aspect.

minor detail

Both words, "fine" and "issue", are substituted with minor and detail respectively, indicating a small aspect.

inconsequential matter

Expresses the issue as being without consequence or importance.

negligible problem

Emphasizes that the issue is so small that it can be disregarded.

unimportant question

Presents the issue as a question that lacks significance.

peripheral matter

Indicates that the issue is related to the edge of something and not centrally important.

FAQs

What does "fine issue" mean?

The phrase "fine issue" typically refers to a minor or subtle problem. It suggests an issue that is not particularly serious or impactful.

When is it appropriate to use "fine issue" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "fine issue" when you want to downplay the severity of a problem or indicate that it is of little consequence. However, consider that there are other options available such as "minor problem" or "slight concern".

What are some alternatives to "fine issue"?

You can use alternatives like "minor issue", "slight problem", or "small matter" depending on the context.

Is "fine issue" a common phrase?

No, "fine issue" is not a particularly common phrase. While grammatically correct, it is less frequently used compared to alternatives like "minor issue".