their own issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their own issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to personal problems or challenges that individuals are facing themselves. Example: "Before we can help others, we must first address their own issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Democrats have their own issues.

The New York Times

"They created their own issues.

The New York Times

The Raptors have their own issues.

The New York Times - Sports

Others have their own issues.

The New York Times

They have their own issues to deal with".

The New York Times

The Patriots have a few of their own issues.

The New York Times - Sports

Then again, the Wizards have had their own issues.

The New York Times - Sports

The Heat had their own issues with balanced scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

They are too busy worrying about their own issues.

Independent

White students at Columbia High have their own issues.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Realize that other people have their own issues.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "their own issues" to acknowledge that individuals or groups have personal problems or challenges that need to be addressed before addressing external concerns.

Common error

Avoid using "their own issues" as a dismissive way to trivialize someone's concerns. Ensure you're acknowledging genuine difficulties, not using the phrase to sidestep engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their own issues" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating that a person or group is dealing with personal problems or challenges. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "their own issues" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to the personal challenges or problems faced by individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in news and media, and while versatile, it's important to use it with sensitivity, especially in formal contexts. Alternatives like "their personal problems" or "their individual challenges" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to acknowledge genuine difficulties and avoid dismissive usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their personal problems

Focuses specifically on problems of a personal nature.

their individual challenges

Highlights the challenges faced by each person separately.

their specific difficulties

Emphasizes the unique difficulties encountered.

their particular concerns

Shifts the focus to matters of concern for them.

their respective struggles

Highlights the effort and difficulty involved in their challenges.

the problems they face

A more general way of referring to their difficulties.

the challenges confronting them

Emphasizes the act of challenges standing in front of them.

matters they are dealing with

A more descriptive and neutral way of saying the same.

the burdens they carry

Figurative language highlighting the weight of their issues.

the obstacles in their path

Focuses on external factors hindering their progress.

FAQs

How can I use "their own issues" in a sentence?

You can use "their own issues" to indicate that individuals or groups are dealing with personal problems, as in, "Before judging others, consider that they might be dealing with "their own issues"".

What is a good alternative to "their own issues"?

Alternatives include "their personal problems", "their individual challenges", or "their specific difficulties", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "their own issues" in formal writing?

Yes, "their own issues" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when discussing personal or organizational challenges, as long as it is used respectfully and sensitively.

What's the difference between "their own issues" and "their respective problems"?

"Their own issues" generally refers to personal or individual problems, while "their respective problems" specifies that each individual or group has different, unique problems.