sweeping issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sweeping issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a broad or far-reaching problem that affects many aspects or areas. Example: "The environmental crisis is a sweeping issue that requires immediate attention from governments and citizens alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It did so by moving past the limited controversy that was actually in the case and deciding a sweeping issue of constitutional law that no party had raised for the justices to consider.

The New York Times

Behind all the small-bore politics is the sweeping issue of the direction of the federal courts, especially the 13 circuit courts that increasingly have the final word on some of the most contentious social issues.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These fights involve sweeping issues of creativity, and narrow changes in copyright law.

The New York Times

But while those legislative and legal fights have attracted more attention, schools across the country are increasingly wrestling with similar kinds of sweeping issues.

The New York Times

But the outlook for such a deal, which involves sweeping issues of troop withdrawal, as well as detention and other aspects of an American presence in Iraq, is in doubt.

The New York Times

As in the first work "Angola" derives its structure and meaning from the disparate layers stacked up by Mr. Xido and then spread out to create a jostling collage, one that is intimate yet informed by sweeping issues surrounding class, race and identity.

The New York Times - Arts

While the timing of the announcement proved jarring, Wall Street analysts said that some sort of change was inevitable given Seagate's sweeping issues.

The New York Times - Tech

Also, the small band of gun control advocates are busy with slightly less sweeping issues, such as their ongoing but still utterly futile effort to make it illegal to sell a weapon to anyone on the terror watch list.

The New York Times

But for the nominees, as always, the evening came down less to the sweeping issues facing the entire industry and more to smaller, more personal moments of drama.

Los Angeles Times

And it could be argued that a lack of good TV shows for 6-11 year olds is not one of the more sweeping issues.

Huffington Post

Hopefully this kind of event which resonates with the debates surrounding sexual assault on college campuses, in the NFL, as well as in and around dance music festivals throughout North America will result in the best of all possible outcomes: more victims feeling safe enough to come forward, and the end of a culture where sweeping issues of violence against women under the rug is allowed. .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "sweeping issue", ensure the context clearly indicates the breadth and significant impact of the problem being discussed. Avoid using it for minor or localized concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "sweeping issue" to describe problems that are actually quite limited in scope or impact. This can weaken your argument and make your analysis seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sweeping issue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sweeping" modifies the noun "issue". It is used to describe a problem or topic that is broad in scope and has significant impact. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in describing topics of wide concern.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sweeping issue" is a grammatically sound and semantically rich expression used to denote a problem or topic of wide-ranging impact. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is commonly employed in news and media contexts to emphasize the breadth of an issue. While alternatives like ""broad issue"" and ""far-reaching issue"" exist, "sweeping issue" specifically conveys a sense of extensive influence and consequence. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the issue genuinely warrants such a description to maintain credibility and precision in communication. It's suitable for neutral register, making it appropriate for professional and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad issue

Replaces "sweeping" with "broad", indicating a wide scope but with slightly less emphasis on the extensive impact.

extensive issue

Uses "extensive" instead of "sweeping", highlighting the comprehensive nature of the problem.

far-reaching issue

Emphasizes the widespread effects of the issue, using "far-reaching" as a substitute for "sweeping".

wide-ranging issue

Similar to "far-reaching", but focuses on the diverse aspects the issue covers.

comprehensive issue

Stresses the thoroughness and completeness of the issue, implying that all aspects are included.

major issue

Indicates the significance and importance of the issue, rather than its scope.

significant issue

Highlights the importance and impact of the issue.

critical issue

Suggests that the issue is crucial and requires immediate attention.

overarching issue

Implies that the issue is dominant and affects many other related concerns.

global issue

Specifies that the issue affects the entire world or a large part of it.

FAQs

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

You can use "sweeping issue" to describe a problem with wide-ranging effects. For example: "Climate change is a "sweeping issue" that demands global cooperation".

What are some alternatives to "sweeping issue"?

Alternatives include "broad issue", "extensive issue", or "far-reaching issue", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "sweeping issue" a formal or informal phrase?

"Sweeping issue" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in news reports and academic discussions.

What makes an issue "sweeping"?

An issue is considered "sweeping" when it has broad implications, affecting many different areas or aspects of society, the environment, or another field.