to explore the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to explore the issue" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a topic that requires investigation or analysis. For example, "The committee met to explore the issue of climate change." Alternative expressions include "to examine the matter" and "to investigate the topic."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To explore the issue, Mr. Kurtis focused on four cases.

The New York Times

"We're planning to explore the issue further," Marshall said.

The Washington Post

The trust recently formed a committee to explore the issue.

The New York Times

But Mr. Folman said he wanted to explore the issue from a personal and Israeli perspective.

The New York Times

Now she sought to explore the issue from the perspective of the adult adoptee.

The New York Times

The dyadic gameplay setting allows us to explore the issue of group UX.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

But I was delighted by the writers' willingness to explore the issue in a relatively even-handed and thoughtful way.

The New Yorker

Fischer is expected in Brussels tomorrow to explore the issue with Jose Manuel Barroso, the European commission president.

The Guardian

They simply urged the European Union, other food safety agencies and the food industry to explore the issue.

The New York Times

In any case, no current novelist has bothered to explore the issue in an important literary way.

The New York Times - Style

But in the meantime, Mr. Beatie has continued to explore the issue of authors who write from the grave.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with adverbs like "further", "fully" or "in depth" to emphasize the thoroughness of the investigation.

Common error

Do not use "to explore the issue" if your intent is to state a final conclusion or a specific action. It is an investigative phrase; using it when you actually mean "to fix" or "to decide" can make your writing seem indecisive or overly bureaucratic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to explore the issue" serves as an infinitive phrase that typically functions as an adverbial of purpose or a direct object complement. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often follows verbs of intention or necessity like "wants", "decided" or "hoped". It acts as a semantic bridge between an actor's motivation and the specific subject of their inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to explore the issue" is a cornerstone of professional English. According to Ludwig AI's extensive database, it appears consistently in high-authority sources ranging from scientific journals to the world's leading newspapers. It is grammatically impeccable and serves as a sophisticated way to introduce a topic of study or a points of contention. Whether you are writing a policy brief, a news article or an academic paper, this phrase provides a clear and professional signal that you are prepared to conduct a thorough analysis. Its high frequency and the quality of the sources where it appears confirm that it is an essential part of a mature writing vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to examine the matter

Uses a more formal noun and a verb that implies a closer inspection of specific details

to investigate the problem

Shifts the focus from a general topic to a specific obstacle or difficulty requiring a solution

to look into the subject

A slightly more idiomatic and conversational way to express the intent of research

to analyze the situation

Focuses on breaking down the components of a current set of circumstances

to delve into the question

Implies a deep or thorough exploration of a specific inquiry or debate

to scrutinize the topic

Suggests a very critical and intense level of examination

to study the case

Often used in legal, medical or academic contexts referring to a specific instance

to probe the matter

Suggests an inquiry that is searching for hidden information or underlying causes

to address the concern

Focuses on responding to or dealing with an issue rather than just researching it

to research the phenomenon

Specific to scientific or social trends that are being observed and documented

FAQs

How to use "to explore the issue" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a goal, such as: "The committee was formed <a href="/s/to+explore+the+issue" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to explore the issue of workplace safety."

What is a more formal way to say "to explore the issue"?

A more formal alternative would be "<a href="/s/to+examine+the+matter" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to examine the matter" or "<a href="/s/to+investigate+the+subject" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to investigate the subject".

Which is better, "to explore the issue" or "to look into it"?

"<a href="/s/to+explore+the+issue" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to explore the issue" is better suited for professional and academic writing, whereas "<a href="/s/to+look+into+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to look into it" is more common in casual conversation.

Can I say "to delve into the issue" instead?

Yes, "<a href="/s/to+delve+into+the+issue" target="_blank" rel="alternative">to delve into the issue" is an excellent alternative that suggests a more profound or intense level of exploration.