on a separate issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a separate issue" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to introduce a new topic or point of discussion that is not directly related to the previous topic. Example: "We have discussed the budget for this project, but on a separate issue, I wanted to bring up concerns about the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

On a separate issue meanwhile, Iran, which is one of the world's worst enemies of the press according to CPJ, on Thursday shut down yet another reformist newspaper, Aseman, which only succeeded to print six issues in its short lifetime.

The Guardian

On a separate issue, Mr. Lehman predicted that the new president would be "pretty aggressive on the trade front".

The New York Times

The Clacton MP meanwhile fell out with his boss on a separate issue, concerning the amount of public money UKIP should draw to fund its meagre parliamentary operations.

The Economist

About 2.75 million people in the republic were eligible to vote on the peace agreement and on a separate issue, the European Union's Amsterdam treaty.

The New York Times

On a separate issue, the Senate voted 99 to 0 on Tuesday to prevent the Justice Department from conducting gun-smuggling investigations using techniques like those in Operation Fast and Furious.

The New York Times

On a separate issue, Ms. Myers confirmed that the agency adopted a new policy last week requiring a court order for medical staff members to give sedation drugs to immigrants being deported.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The brief then went on to alert the justices to a separate issue in the case, about the scope of an exception to the government's sovereign immunity.

The New York Times

A report published on Wednesday raised a separate issue over Walmart and tax, in terms of a loophole the study said had given the company a tax break of $104m, enough to cover the cost of free lunches for 33,000 schoolchildren.

The Guardian - Business

"This shows a growing need to focus on youth violence as a separate issue and focus specifically on the role played by firearms," Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center, a non-profit research and advocacy organization that studies gun violence, told Reuters.

Huffington Post

The communities they would need to mobilise have been devastated.In theory, the Tigers and the government agree on the need for a joint relief mechanism, and on treating it as a separate issue from the peace process.

The Economist

The court's decision was a new setback for the Bush administration, which has suffered a string of judicial defeats on Guantánamo policy, most recently in a Supreme Court ruling on June 12 that dealt with a separate issue of detainee rights.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a separate issue" to clearly signal to your audience that you are transitioning to a new and unrelated topic, ensuring they can follow your train of thought.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive paragraphs with "on a separate issue". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms or rephrase to vary your transitions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a separate issue" functions as a transitional phrase. It serves to introduce a topic that is distinct and unrelated to the preceding discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a separate issue" is a common and grammatically correct transitional phrase used to introduce a new, unrelated topic in writing and speech. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news media, formal business communications, and scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly signals a shift to a distinct subject, and avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Consider alternative phrases like "on another matter" or "turning to a different subject" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on another matter

Focuses on a different subject, maintaining a similar level of formality.

turning to a different subject

Directly indicates a change of subject, slightly more formal.

moving on to another topic

Similar to turning to a different subject, slightly less formal.

in other news

More common in news broadcasts, signaling a shift to a new topic.

separately

Emphasizes the distinction between the current and next point.

shifting gears

Informal expression indicating a change in topic.

by the way

More casual way to introduce a new, unrelated point.

in a different vein

Indicates a shift to a topic with a different tone or style.

on a tangential note

Implies the new topic is related but not directly connected.

incidentally

Suggests the new topic is brought up as an afterthought.

FAQs

How can I use "on a separate issue" in a sentence?

You can use "on a separate issue" to introduce a new topic that is unrelated to the previous one. For example, "We've discussed the marketing plan; on a separate issue, let's talk about the budget."

What are some alternatives to "on a separate issue"?

Alternatives include "on another matter", "turning to a different subject", or "moving on to another topic", depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use a transitional phrase like "on a separate issue"?

No, it's not always necessary. Use it when the shift in topic is significant and not immediately obvious to the reader or listener. In some cases, a simple paragraph break may suffice.

What's the difference between "on a separate issue" and "in other news"?

"On a separate issue" is suitable for general contexts, while "in other news" is more specifically used in news reports or broadcasts to transition to a new story.