to address something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to address something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of dealing with or responding to a particular issue, topic, or concern. Example: "In the meeting, we need to address the budget concerns raised by the finance team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

She said: "I'd really like to address something that is weighing very heavy on my heart.

Independent

"It's a way to address something that nobody wants to talk about through a game that everybody loves," Noftsinger said.

The New York Times - Sports

Fair play to Fraser for using humour to address something very raw: some will find her story affecting.

The Guardian

"Sun" sounds like a document of something that's happened, rather than the report of someone's aching desire to address something undone.

The New Yorker

Not long ago, Jeff Vickers, who owns a construction company, had surgery to address something that had, fittingly, been the butt of jokes.

The New York Times

Edward Bickham said the fact that the standard is trying to address something very specific – conflict – means it is more likely to succeed.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

A protocol may be on any topic relevant to the original treaty and is used either to further address something in the original treaty, address a new or emerging concern or add a procedure for the operation and enforcement of the treaty.

Unicef

Apparently there's another, more serious bug that this patch doesn't address, something to do with an SMB vulnerability.

TechCrunch

That guest gave up speaking to me and addressed something to the full table that made everyone laugh.

Vice

This is a pressing national security threat that remains to be adequately addressed — something unlikely to happen as long as a president who was elected with Russian help remains in office.

The Washington Post

That way both teachers and pupils would know who to address when something goes wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "to tackle" or "to handle" to avoid repetition and make your writing more engaging.

Common error

While "to address something" is acceptable, excessive use can make your writing sound repetitive. Try replacing some instances with more specific verbs that capture the nuance of your intended meaning, such as "resolve", "rectify", or "mitigate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to address something" functions as an infinitive phrase that often introduces a purpose or intention. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to indicate the action of dealing with a specific issue or topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to address something" is a versatile and commonly used infinitive phrase that denotes the intention to deal with a specific matter. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and business settings. While its frequency suggests widespread acceptance, writers should consider synonyms like "to tackle", "to handle", or "to resolve" to avoid repetition. The phrase generally maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and semi-formal communication. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and clear communication across different writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to tackle an issue

Emphasizes a direct and forceful approach to dealing with a problem.

to deal with a matter

Suggests a process of managing or handling a particular subject.

to resolve a problem

Focuses on finding a solution to a difficulty or challenge.

to handle a situation

Implies managing or controlling a set of circumstances.

to take up an issue

Suggests initiating a discussion or action regarding a specific concern.

to attend to a question

Focuses on giving attention and consideration to a particular query.

to see to a concern

Implies ensuring that a worry or apprehension is properly managed.

to manage a challenge

Suggests overseeing and directing efforts to overcome an obstacle.

to confront a difficulty

Emphasizes facing and dealing with a hard situation directly.

to remediate a problem

Focuses on correcting or improving a deficiency or fault.

FAQs

How can I use "to address something" in a sentence?

You can use "to address something" in sentences like, "The company needs "to address something" immediately to prevent further issues", or "The speaker will "to address something" important during the conference".

What are some alternatives to "to address something"?

Some alternatives include "to tackle an issue", "to deal with a matter", or "to resolve a problem", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "address" or "deal with"?

"Address" often implies a more formal or official approach to handling something. "Deal with" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The choice depends on the tone and the nature of the issue you're discussing.

What does it mean "to address something"?

To "address something" means to give attention to or deal with a matter or problem. It suggests taking action or discussing something to resolve or clarify it.