issue that surfaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "issue that surfaced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe some kind of problem that has arisen and become known in a certain situation. For example: "The issue of workplace discrimination recently surfaced at the company, raising concerns about the safety of employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's an an issue that surfaced in the early days of the Rooms.

Vice

And if there was one issue that surfaced again and again -- fear of the "other" -- there was also one solution that surfaced again and again: create opportunities for people to come to know each other in their every day lives, not as "others" but as fellow human beings, as citizens of the Earth.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mancuso said she and Vonn had not discussed any of the rivalry issues that surfaced at the Vancouver Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

The groups are having follow-up meetings to address the issues that surfaced, like a desire for more flexibility in how work is organized, she said.

The New York Times

With Peter Murray as technical editor, its focus moved away from buildings to alternative energy and lifestyles, studying many issues that surfaced in the green movement 30 years later.

The Guardian - Arts

Radio 2 cannot afford to lose too much of its audience, or the same issues that surfaced in the 80s, questioning the point of the station, will re-emerge.

The Guardian

Many of the issues that surfaced – such as the relationship between the executive, legislature and judiciary, and the mechanism for enforcing any social and economic rights – are more appropriately the subject of a written constitution.

The Guardian - Opinion

But again, this looks easier than it actually is, for all the difficult issues that surfaced during the last independence referendum remain unresolved and, in certain cases, have become even more intractable.

The Guardian - Opinion

On some level, the reactions to both issues that surfaced last week, or at least the more reductive versions of them that ricocheted online, were about the basic question of who gets to share in the American experience -- whether that means the experience of citizenship or, in the case of the mosque, the experience of grieving for Americans lost.

The New York Times

Simple also says it invited customers with the most complex accounts to move earlier so that it could work through any issues that surfaced.

TechCrunch

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is providing taxpayers an additional day to file and pay their taxes following system issues that surfaced early on the April 17 tax deadline.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "issue that surfaced", ensure the context clearly indicates what the issue is and where or when it became apparent. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "issue that surfaced" repeatedly in formal documents; instead, vary your language with synonyms like "problem that came to light" or "concern that emerged" to maintain reader engagement and demonstrate a broader vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "issue that surfaced" functions as a relative clause identifying a particular issue that has become apparent or noticeable. This usage aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "issue that surfaced" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a problem or concern that has become apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the phrase appears frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, writers should consider more formal alternatives for academic or highly professional settings. To enhance writing, ensure clarity in the context and vary language with synonyms like "problem that came to light" or "concern that emerged".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

problem that came to light

Replaces "issue" with "problem" and uses "came to light" instead of "surfaced", focusing on the revelation of the issue.

matter that arose

Substitutes "issue" with "matter" and "surfaced" with "arose", indicating the commencement or appearance of the problem.

concern that emerged

Replaces "issue" with "concern" to emphasize worry or anxiety and uses "emerged" for a gradual appearance.

difficulty that presented itself

Uses "difficulty" instead of "issue", framing it as a challenge, and "presented itself" to indicate a more formal or sudden appearance.

topic that surfaced

Replaces "issue" with "topic", shifting the focus to a subject of discussion rather than a problem.

question that arose

Substitutes "issue" with "question", indicating uncertainty or inquiry.

point that emerged

Replaces "issue" with "point", suggesting a specific detail or argument that became apparent.

challenge that arose

Substitutes "issue" with "challenge", which suggests a test of one's abilities or resources.

dilemma that came up

Replaces "issue" with "dilemma", implying a situation involving a difficult choice between equally undesirable alternatives, and "came up" is less formal than "surfaced".

complication that materialized

Substitutes "issue" with "complication" and "surfaced" with "materialized", indicating that something complex or unexpected appeared.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "issue that surfaced" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "matter that arose" or "concern that emerged", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly elevated vocabulary.

What's a simpler way to say "issue that surfaced"?

A simpler way to express the same idea is to use phrases like "problem that came to light" or simply "issue that came up".

Is "issue that surfaced" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "issue that surfaced" is generally acceptable for academic writing, but ensure it fits the context and tone of your paper. More formal alternatives might be preferable in some cases.

What's the difference between "issue that surfaced" and "issue that emerged"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "issue that emerged" might imply a more gradual or progressive unfolding of the issue, while "issue that surfaced" can suggest a more sudden appearance.