sharp issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharp issue" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted as referring to a pressing or critical problem, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The sharp issue at hand requires immediate attention from the board."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Utilities take sharp issue with that assessment.

The New York Times

But some defenders of the map's medieval origins have taken sharp issue with the new interpretations.

The New York Times

ELLIOTT SHARP, Issue Project Room, 619 East Sixth Street, East Village, [phone].

The New York Times

Mr. Harding took sharp issue with statements that much of the surplus should be devoted to large wage increases.

The New York Times

Taking a break yesterday afternoon from shouting at visitors not to enter the museum, John Gray, a cataloguer in the museum library, took sharp issue with Mr. Batterman.

The New York Times

The ruling, written by Judge Jay Bybee, took sharp issue with Google's contention that data transmitted over a Wi-Fi network was not protected by federal wiretapping laws because it was an electronic "radio communication".

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"We are going to speak about sharp issues".

The New York Times

TOKYO – Qualcomm will invest $120 million in the struggling Japanese electronics giant Sharp, throwing a fresh lifeline to the company after Sharp issued a dire warning last month about its ability to keep operating.

The New York Times

Pesticide application efficiency from aircraft could be increased substantially, and required downwind buffer distances to avoid drift damage reduced significantly, if sharp issuing points or pins were added to existing rotary cage atomizer designs.

Crop Protection

Some of the sharpest issues dividing the administration and Congress, however, seem likely to come to a head in President Obama's remaining 23 months in office.

The Guardian

The 51-to-50 51-to-50 51-to-50f the sharpest issues divoteng the parties: wasther tax cuts on Medicare shoned take precedence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharp issue" to describe a problem that is not only important but also has a distinct, clear-cut nature. Consider if alternatives like "critical issue" or "pressing concern" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

Common error

While "sharp issue" is acceptable, it can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "significant matter", especially in academic or business contexts. Evaluate your audience and choose the phrasing accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp issue" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "sharp" modifies the noun "issue". It denotes a specific kind of issue that is clear, distinct, and often critical. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

7.5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2.5%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharp issue" refers to a distinct and critical problem, although Ludwig AI indicates it isn't the most common expression. It's grammatically acceptable and used across varied sources, mainly in news and media, with a neutral to professional register. For alternative phrasing, consider "critical problem" or "pressing concern" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. When using "sharp issue", ensure it accurately reflects a problem that is not only important but also clearly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical problem

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the issue.

pressing concern

Highlights the need for immediate attention.

contentious point

Focuses on the disagreement or debate surrounding the issue.

significant matter

Stresses the importance and potential impact of the issue.

key difficulty

Highlights the challenge or obstacle the issue presents.

prominent question

Emphasizes that the issue is widely discussed and important.

acute challenge

Stresses the severity and urgency of the issue as a challenge.

sensitive topic

Highlights that the issue may be controversial and require careful handling.

divisive subject

Emphasizes the issue causes disagreement and separation.

thorny question

This alternative indicates the issue is complex and difficult to resolve.

FAQs

What does "sharp issue" mean?

"Sharp issue" refers to a problem or point of contention that is particularly clear, distinct, and often urgent or critical. It suggests the issue is not vague but rather well-defined and potentially sensitive.

What can I say instead of "sharp issue"?

You can use alternatives like "critical problem", "pressing concern", or "contentious point" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sharp issue" formal or informal?

"Sharp issue" is generally considered acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal or academic writing, alternatives like "significant matter" might be preferred.

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

You can use "sharp issue" to describe a specific challenge that needs to be addressed. For example: "The "sharp issue" of climate change requires immediate action."