terrifying issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "terrifying issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or situation that causes fear or anxiety. Example: "The terrifying issue of climate change demands immediate action from all of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Q. Thank you for investigating this hidden, terrifying issue for many boomers.

The New York Times

With dissertation deadlines looming, energy-drink dependence reaching critical levels and the library fast becoming a second home, the undergraduate's mind turns to an even more terrifying issue: "What am I going to do when it's all over?" "I like being at uni," you think.

The Guardian

Whether it is Michael Bloomberg and the obvious need to reform a corrupt banking system or Joe Paterno and his compulsion to participate in a mass cover-up rather than confront the terrifying issue of child rape, the things that scare our leaders the most whether it is bank reform or sexual assault are the issues we most need to tackle.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Texas senator Ted Cruz has proposed sending police to surveil, "patrol and secure" Muslim neighborhoods, and surrounded himself with advisers whom experts call "terrifying" on issues of civil rights.

The Guardian

It's a lot easier to joke about the end of Western democracy, cry-baby liberals, or Joe Biden pranking the incoming administration than it is to engage in an open discussion of the issues, partly because the issues are terrifying, but moreso because they've become too gridlocked in identity politics for unbiased discussion of their solutions.

Huffington Post

"Tom Daschle ought to be terrified of this issue," said Dick Wadhams, Mr. Thune's campaign manager.

The New York Times

Vulnerable Democrats in red states (and there are a lot of them this year, especially in the Senate) are already terrified that the issue could be successfully demagogued against them.

Huffington Post

In other parts of the world, though, the issue has a lethal, terrifying urgency.

The New York Times

I was on a long-haul flight nearly every other week and was terrified of circulation issues or blood clots.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Antonio Maria Costa, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes Policy, which issued the report, called the new figures terrifying.

The New York Times

And it's not like Facebook has never been used in the same sentence as "privacy issues," whether you see that as innovative or terrifying.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "terrifying issue" when you want to emphasize the fear and anxiety that a particular problem or situation evokes. It's most effective when the issue genuinely inspires significant fear.

Common error

Avoid using "terrifying issue" to describe everyday inconveniences or minor problems. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "terrifying issue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "terrifying" modifies the noun "issue". It describes a problem or situation that evokes a sense of fear or alarm. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples drawn from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "terrifying issue" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, employed to describe a problem or situation that induces fear or anxiety. Ludwig AI highlights that it's most often found in news and media contexts. While its usage isn't exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the gravity of a situation. Remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations that genuinely evoke strong feelings of fear, to avoid diluting its impact. Alternative phrasing such as "alarming problem" or "serious concern" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alarming problem

Replaces 'terrifying' with 'alarming', suggesting a less intense fear but still significant concern.

frightening problem

Substitutes 'terrifying' with 'frightening', which has a similar meaning but may convey a slightly less intense level of fear.

daunting challenge

Shifts the focus from fear to the difficulty of the issue.

serious concern

Replaces the emotional intensity with a more neutral expression of worry.

grave matter

Emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the issue.

critical situation

Highlights the urgency and potential danger of the issue.

dire predicament

Focuses on the negative and difficult circumstances surrounding the issue.

worrying development

Highlights the concern caused by a recent event or trend.

vexing question

Emphasizes the troublesome and challenging nature of the issue.

troubling matter

Expresses concern and unease about the issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "terrifying issue" to describe problems that cause significant fear or anxiety. For example, "The "terrifying issue" of climate change demands immediate action."

What are some alternatives to "terrifying issue"?

Alternatives include "alarming problem", "frightening problem", or "serious concern", depending on the specific context and the level of fear you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "terrifying issue"?

Use "terrifying issue" when the subject genuinely evokes fear and anxiety. It's suitable for significant problems with potentially severe consequences.

Is "terrifying issue" too dramatic for formal writing?

While "terrifying issue" can be used in formal writing, consider the tone and audience. In some cases, a more neutral phrase like "serious concern" or "critical situation" might be more appropriate.