tangible issue

USAGE SUMMARY

"tangible issue" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It refers to a real, concrete, or physical problem or concern. You can use it in a sentence when discussing a specific problem or issue that can be seen, touched, or measured. Example: The lack of affordable housing is a tangible issue facing many cities, as it directly affects the well-being and livelihood of its residents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The tangible issue for Chicago is the state of Toews's head, which was treated like a piñata by the Bruins' Johnny Boychuk in Game 5, drawing no penalty or suspension, which Steve Rosenbloom writes in The Chicago Tribune qualifies as a travesty.

The New York Times - Sports

It is one of the tangible issue areas in interstate relationships.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

The researchers say their work shows that rainforests are not just important for biodiversity, for the storage of carbon but for the very tangible issue of energy production.

BBC

The more tangible issue is that an adult with Down syndrome has many more options now, each based on an individual's capabilities.

Huffington Post

If somebody from the government is misusing taxpayers' money, the majority of people feel more personally about it than they would about fighting for a less tangible issue like democracy or human rights.

Vice

By Cornelia Walther LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 16 August 2011 — On June 24, a fundraising gala organized following this year's Day of the African Child gathered over 100 local authorities, development partners, businesspeople, parents and children around one shared goal – making child protection a tangible issue in Southern DR Congo.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

At the Collective Leadership Institute we have found that, apart from understanding the stakeholder landscape in general, companies' stakeholder engagement needs to be: 1. issue-based; 2. pro-active instead of reactive; 3. learning orientated in order to get to tangible issue-based results; 4. measurable in terms of a company's internal targets; and 5. based on a thorough methodology.

The Guardian

Your differences with your boss over those less tangible issues may be too big to surmount.

The New York Times

"Then on the second level, there are real, tangible issues: what the European Union will finally offer, and the way in which it is offered," he said.

The New York Times

"It wasn't about money, it wasn't about tangible issues," said Carroll, whose five-year contract with Seattle is reportedly worth $6.5 million to $7 million a season, about $2 million more than he was paid at U.S.C. "It was about the challenge".

The New York Times

History suggests that it is (comparatively) easier to make pragmatic bargains over tangible issues like land than it is to agree on great religious questions like the nature of God.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tangible issue", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the issue's real and measurable impact, enhancing the credibility and relevance of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "tangible issue" when describing abstract or theoretical problems. Instead, reserve it for situations where the issue has a clear, demonstrable, and measurable effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tangible issue" functions as a noun phrase, where "tangible" modifies "issue". It highlights the concrete and observable nature of the problem. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tangible issue" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing problems that are real, concrete, and measurable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often used in contexts such as news, science, and formal business communications. While not extremely common, it's a valuable term to have in your vocabulary for clearly identifying issues that require practical and immediate attention. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the real and observable nature of a problem. Alternatives such as "concrete problem" or "palpable concern" can be considered for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concrete problem

Replaces "issue" with "problem", emphasizing the practical and real nature of the matter.

palpable concern

Uses "palpable" instead of "tangible", highlighting the ease with which the concern can be sensed or realized.

real problem

Emphasizes the authenticity and genuineness of the problem.

evident matter

Focuses on the obvious and easily noticeable nature of the issue.

visible challenge

Highlights the readily observable and demanding aspect of the issue.

demonstrable issue

Stresses the capacity of the issue to be clearly shown or proven.

actual concern

Underscores that the concern is factual and not hypothetical.

material matter

Indicates the issue is substantial and not just theoretical or abstract.

obvious difficulty

Highlights that the difficulty is easy to see or understand.

plain problem

Indicates that the problem is straightforward and not complex.

FAQs

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

"Tangible issue" is used to describe a problem that is real and can be clearly seen or measured. For example, "The city's increasing homelessness rate is a "tangible issue" that requires immediate attention".

What are some alternatives to "tangible issue"?

Alternatives include "concrete problem", "palpable concern", or "real problem". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very tangible issue"?

While not strictly redundant, "very tangible issue" can be seen as slightly emphatic. Consider whether the "very" adds meaningful emphasis or if the issue's tangibility is already clear from the context.

What's the difference between a "tangible issue" and an "intangible issue"?

A "tangible issue" is concrete and easily observable or measurable, while an "intangible issue" is abstract, difficult to define, and often related to emotions or values.