issue of assent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "issue of assent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing agreement, consent, or approval, particularly in legal or formal discussions. Example: "The issue of assent was central to the negotiations, as both parties needed to agree on the terms before proceeding."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because the CHILD study will follow children only to age five, the protocol does not address the issue of assent or consent, though in our interviewee's experience, assent is typically sought around age seven to eight in longitudinal studies with children.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In pediatrics, the issues might include such things as patient age precluding truly informed consent, substitute decision making by the parents, or the issue of patient assent versus consent [ 1].

BMC Medical Ethics

The involvement of third party agents (parents) and the association with responsibility and guilt complicate issues of consent, assent, justice [ 30], and the assessment of the best interest of the child.

BMC Medical Ethics

One of the challenges of conducting paediatric research there is addressing the complex issue of consent and assent for example, who can legitimately provide parental consent and who has the child's best interests.

BMC Medical Ethics

Unique ethical issues have been identified for such populations as pediatrics, where the issues of consent and assent have received much attention, and obstetrics, with concerns such as the potential for research to cause harm to the fetus.

BMC Medical Ethics

(Murmurs of assent).

The New York Times

A nod of assent.

The New York Times

The silent circle of assent.

The New Yorker

There was a general murmur of assent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Murphy made another small noise of assent.

The New Yorker

There was a murmur of assent.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical considerations in research, especially with vulnerable populations like children, use "issue of assent" to highlight the complexities surrounding their agreement to participate.

Common error

Avoid using "issue of assent" interchangeably with "issue of consent". Assent implies agreement from someone unable to give legal consent, like a minor, while consent is a legally binding agreement from a competent adult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "issue of assent" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it introduces a topic related to agreement or approval, frequently in contexts requiring careful ethical or legal consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "issue of assent" correctly identifies a specific problem or ethical challenge related to gaining agreement, particularly from individuals who cannot provide full legal consent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted, making it suitable for use in formal, scientific, and news contexts. Understanding the distinction between assent and consent is vital, and related terms like "matter of consent" or "question of agreement" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Utilizing this phrase correctly enhances clarity and precision when discussing complex ethical or legal considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter of consent

Replaces "issue" with "matter", slightly altering the focus from a problem to a topic.

question of agreement

Substitutes "assent" with "agreement", presenting a more general term for approval.

problem of consent

Swaps "issue" for "problem", highlighting the challenging aspect of obtaining agreement.

consent dilemma

Condenses the phrase, emphasizing the problematic nature of consent.

assent challenge

Focuses on the difficulty in gaining assent, replacing "issue" with "challenge".

impediment to agreement

Highlights what blocks the way to a formal agreement.

obstacle to consent

Emphasizes the difficulty in obtaining consent, focusing on roadblocks.

concern regarding assent

Shifts focus to the worry or concern surrounding the act of assent.

difficulty in securing assent

Stresses the process and its inherent difficulties.

debate over authorization

Implies a formal discussion or argument about giving permission.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "issue of assent"?

The phrase "issue of assent" is particularly relevant in contexts where agreement or approval is required, but formal consent may not be possible or sufficient, such as in pediatric research or cases involving individuals with limited capacity.

What's the difference between "issue of assent" and "matter of consent"?

While both relate to agreement, "issue of assent" highlights a problem or point of contention, while "matter of consent" simply refers to the topic of consent itself, without necessarily implying a difficulty.

How does the "issue of assent" relate to ethical considerations in research?

In research, the "issue of assent" often arises when dealing with participants who cannot legally give consent, such as children. Researchers must consider their willingness to participate, even if parental consent is obtained.

What are some related phrases I can use instead of "issue of assent"?

Alternatives include "question of agreement", "problem of consent", or "consent dilemma", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.