persistent issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "persistent issue" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a problem or challenge that continues to exist over a long period of time without being resolved or going away. Example: "Climate change remains a persistent issue that requires urgent action from governments and individuals alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Crime is a persistent issue, particularly theft, assault, and kidnapping.

The New Yorker

In Irbid, housing has been a persistent issue.

The Guardian

One persistent issue is the dynamics of ice sheets.

The New York Times

A more persistent issue is an aesthetic one.

The New York Times

A persistent issue for phone users across platforms has been poor voice recognition for Australian accents.

The Guardian - Tech

This has been a persistent issue from the moment Christianity became popular with the ruling classes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The dearth of women on corporate boards has been a persistent issue for decades.

The New York Times

His lack of rebound control — a persistent issue — led to Alexei Ponikarovsky's game winner.

The New York Times - Sports

Screening police recruits has been a persistent issue for the Afghan government, as well as its American advisers.

The New York Times

For some time now, pharmacists have agitated about the persistent issue of insurance reimbursement for their prescription drug sales.

The New York Times

"No matter how careful you are, the age of the material you started with is a persistent issue," Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "persistent issue", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration and impact of the problem. Provide specific examples or data to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "persistent issue" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "recurring challenge" or "ongoing problem" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your text from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "persistent issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "persistent" modifies the noun "issue". It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, denoting a recurring problem or challenge. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and in common use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

33%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "persistent issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a recurring problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in news reporting and scientific writing. While highly versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "ongoing problem" or "recurring challenge" for variety. The phrase's effectiveness lies in its ability to clearly convey the enduring nature of a problem, emphasizing the need for attention and potential resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ongoing problem

Replaces 'issue' with 'problem' and 'persistent' with 'ongoing', focusing on the continuous nature.

recurring challenge

Substitutes 'issue' with 'challenge' and 'persistent' with 'recurring', highlighting the difficulty aspect.

chronic problem

Uses 'chronic' instead of 'persistent', emphasizing the long-lasting and often difficult-to-resolve nature.

long-standing issue

Replaces 'persistent' with 'long-standing', indicating the problem has existed for a considerable time.

continuing concern

Changes 'issue' to 'concern' and 'persistent' to 'continuing', framing it as a matter of worry that persists.

unresolved problem

Focuses on the lack of resolution, using 'unresolved' instead of describing the persistence directly.

nagging problem

Emphasizes the irritating and bothersome nature of the problem, replacing 'persistent' with 'nagging'.

enduring difficulty

Substitutes 'issue' with 'difficulty' and 'persistent' with 'enduring', highlighting the lasting nature of the challenge.

lingering challenge

Uses 'lingering' to convey the sense of something that remains present and doesn't easily disappear.

stubborn obstacle

Replaces both words to suggest a problem that is difficult to overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "persistent issue" to describe a problem that has continued for a long time. For example, "Teacher turnover is a "persistent issue" at many charter schools".

What are some alternatives to "persistent issue"?

Alternatives to "persistent issue" include "ongoing problem", "recurring challenge", or "chronic problem". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "persistent issue" or "ongoing issue"?

"Persistent issue" and "ongoing issue" are very similar. "Persistent" emphasizes the enduring nature of the problem, while "ongoing" highlights its continuous existence. Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a problem a "persistent issue"?

A problem becomes a "persistent issue" when it continues to exist or recur over a significant period, resisting attempts to resolve it. Its persistence is what makes it noteworthy and requires attention.