principal issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"principal issue" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the main or most important problem or concern in a particular situation. This phrase is often used in formal or academic writing, but can also be used in everyday language. Example: The principal issue in the debate over climate change is the urgent need for action to reduce carbon emissions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is the principal issue".

The New York Times

The principal issue is with Richard Cathar himself.

The Guardian - Books

But the principal issue is nostalgic craft, made chic, smart and demonic.

The New York Times - Arts

The principal issue is how can we design better, more humane buildings.

The New York Times - Magazine

The principal issue with nuclear power, and other energy sources, is cost.

The Guardian

The principal issue, legal experts say, will be how regulators define the server market.

The New York Times - Tech

A principal issue at the hearings will be Mr. Ashcroft's record on race issues and other civil rights matters.

The New York Times

"A lot of the focus has been on the pipeline, but for me retention is the principal issue".

The Guardian

Their diffident use of the d-word, the principal issue that dogged post-Good Friday agreement politics, was telling.

The Guardian

The principal issue was that the Medal Factory story was not a straightforward tale of sporting rags to riches.

The Guardian - Sport

Cuba will probably be the principal issue in American politics between now & the next election, because there is so little else with which to catch the public's ear.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "principal issue" to introduce the core subject of a discussion or argument. This helps to focus the reader's attention immediately.

Common error

A common mistake is using "principle" instead of "principal". "Principal" refers to the most important item, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or proposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important problem or point of discussion. As Ludwig highlights, it's a commonly used and correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to pinpoint the most significant problem or point of discussion. As Ludwig confirms, its usage spans across diverse fields, including news, science, and encyclopedic references. It is vital to differentiate "principal" from "principle" to prevent errors, and to make sure the usage effectively conveys the foremost issue, as substituting it with phrases such as "main concern", "central problem", or "key question" can slightly shift the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main concern

Focuses on the feeling of worry or interest instead of a formal problem.

central problem

Highlights the problematic aspect as being the most important.

key question

Emphasizes the inquiry aspect of the issue.

primary focus

Stresses the point of concentration or attention.

major challenge

Highlights the difficulty aspect of the issue.

core element

Indicates a fundamental component of a situation.

chief difficulty

Underlines the most significant obstacle or problem.

critical aspect

Highlights the importance of a particular element.

fundamental matter

Emphasizes the basic or essential nature of the subject.

overriding factor

Indicates a prevailing influence or consideration.

FAQs

How to use "principal issue" in a sentence?

The "principal issue" is typically followed by a clause that explains what the main problem or concern is. For example, "The "principal issue" is whether the budget cuts will affect essential services."

What can I say instead of "principal issue"?

You can use alternatives like "main concern", "central problem", or "key question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "principal issue" or "principle issue"?

"Principal issue" is correct. "Principal" means main or most important, while "principle" refers to a basic truth or law.

What's the difference between "principal issue" and "primary issue"?

While similar, "principal issue" often implies a higher degree of importance or centrality than "primary issue". "Principal" suggests it is the foremost issue among all others.