perennial issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perennial issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been a persistent problem or topic for a long time. For example, "The perennial issue of income inequality continues to plague many countries around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The rising cost of living is a perennial issue.

The New Yorker

And then there is the perennial issue of space.

The New York Times

It has since shrunk to $17 billion.This is a perennial issue.

The Economist

Relations with host governments — "capacity-building" — are a perennial issue for international agencies.

The New Yorker

The offense is starting over with that perennial issue: have the Ravens finally found a quarterback?

The New York Times

Attacking a perennial issue, Toto sells a deodorizing toilet that "chemically neutralizes odor".

The New York Times

It is a perennial issue that Congress should have handled in another bill.

The New York Times

"Or this is likely to be a perennial issue at the ballot".

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Hunger and food security are also pressing, perennial issues for hundreds of millions of poor Indians.

The New York Times

Certain elements remain timely -- Lyn's disillusioned romanticism, Marge's personal misfortunes and depression -- because they reflect perennial issues.

The New York Times

That the vast and perennial issues of English decentralisation and House of Lords reform must be dealt with at the same time as the West Lothian question.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perennial issue" to describe a problem or topic that consistently reappears or has been a concern for a long time. It adds a sense of history and persistence to the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "perennial issue" for very recent or minor problems. It's best suited for long-standing, significant concerns to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perennial issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "perennial" modifies the noun "issue". It identifies a subject or problem that repeatedly occurs or exists over a long period. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perennial issue" effectively describes a problem or subject that has been present for a long duration and tends to recur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability, noting its frequent use in contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. When using "perennial issue", remember that it's best suited for significant, long-standing problems, and should be replaced with other options like "recurring problem", "persistent challenge", or "longstanding concern" if you need a semantically close alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recurring problem

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the problem.

persistent challenge

Emphasizes the difficulty and ongoing nature of the challenge.

longstanding concern

Highlights the duration and worry associated with the issue.

enduring question

Highlights the duration of the question.

chronic difficulty

Emphasizes the persistent and often severe nature of the difficulty.

continual debate

Focuses on the ongoing discussion and disagreement surrounding the topic.

recurrent theme

Highlights the repeating nature of the theme or subject.

age-old problem

Highlights the ancient origin of the problem.

ever-present issue

Focuses on the continuous presence of the issue.

unresolved matter

Highlights the lack of resolution and ongoing status of the matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "perennial issue" to describe a long-standing problem. For example, "Climate change is a "perennial issue" that requires global cooperation".

What are some alternatives to "perennial issue"?

Alternatives include "recurring problem", "persistent challenge", or "longstanding concern", depending on the context.

Is "perennial issue" formal or informal?

"Perennial issue" is generally considered neutral to formal and is suitable for use in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports.

What makes an issue "perennial"?

An issue is considered "perennial" if it recurs consistently over a long period of time, often despite attempts to address it. It is characterized by its enduring presence and resistance to resolution.