secondary issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secondary issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a matter that is not the primary concern or is of lesser importance in a discussion or situation. Example: "While the budget is a primary concern, the timeline is a secondary issue that we can address later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Democracy is a secondary issue.

The New York Times

But that's a secondary issue.

The New York Times

That is a secondary issue.

The New York Times

Even weak institutions are a secondary issue.

The Economist

Accuracy is now a secondary issue.

The New Yorker

The snow was a secondary issue in many cases.

The Guardian - Opinion

But from a solvency perspective that is a secondary issue.

The New Yorker

But the secondary issue is one we can't ignore.

The Guardian - Sport

Why do we insist that race is a secondary issue?

The New Yorker

Coöperation on Al Qaeda was now a secondary issue.

The New Yorker

"In Cyprus, the economy is a secondary issue," he says.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "secondary issue", ensure the primary issue is clearly defined to provide context and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid treating a "secondary issue" as the main focus of discussion. Doing so can distract from the more important aspects of the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secondary issue" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something of lesser importance or priority compared to the main subject or issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secondary issue" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something of lesser importance compared to a primary concern. As Ludwig confirms, it is used frequently in news, science, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the main issue is clear to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "minor concern" or "less important matter" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to prioritize the main topic and avoid getting sidetracked by the "secondary issue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor concern

Emphasizes the reduced level of worry or attention compared to the primary concern.

less important matter

Directly indicates a lower level of significance or relevance.

lower priority item

Highlights that it is not the most pressing or urgent task.

subsidiary problem

Suggests the issue is related to a larger problem but not the central one.

ancillary question

Indicates the question is related but not essential to the main inquiry.

peripheral aspect

Highlights that the issue is on the edge of the main focus.

side issue

Suggests a deviation from the central topic.

lesser consideration

Indicates it deserves less attention or thought compared to other matters.

non-essential detail

Highlights that the issue is not crucial or necessary.

tertiary concern

This phrase emphasizes a lower level of importance than a secondary concern.

FAQs

How do I use "secondary issue" in a sentence?

You can use "secondary issue" to describe a topic or problem that is less important than the main one. For example, "While funding is crucial, logistics are a "secondary issue".".

What can I say instead of "secondary issue"?

You can use alternatives like "minor concern", "less important matter", or "lower priority item" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "secondary issue" or "minor problem"?

Both "secondary issue" and "minor problem" are correct, but "secondary issue" specifically implies it's less important relative to a primary issue, while "minor problem" simply means a small problem.

What's the difference between "secondary issue" and "side issue"?

"Secondary issue" implies a lower priority, whereas "side issue" suggests a related but tangential topic that deviates from the main discussion.