took issue with

USAGE SUMMARY

"took issue with" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
It is commonly used to mean that someone has expressed disagreement or disapproval with something. For example: The CEO took issue with the company's new policy on vacation time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

NFL.com's Jeff Darlington took issue with that.

The New York Times

Here the world took issue with him.

The Economist

Mr. Quintana took issue with that assessment.

The New York Times

I therefore took issue with its author.

Independent

He then took issue with my clothes.

Independent

But he took issue with Cornell's response.

The New York Times

Mr. Lambert took issue with the comments.

The New York Times

Willis took issue with his statements.

The New York Times

Mr. Casey took issue with such comparisons.

The New York Times - Health

Some experts took issue with that position.

The New York Times

Lagerfeld took issue with this approach.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took issue with" when you want to express disagreement or contradiction in a relatively formal and neutral tone. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "took issue with" in very informal conversations or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "disagreed with" or "questioned" may be more appropriate in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took issue with" functions as a verb phrase indicating disagreement or opposition. It is used to express that someone has contested or challenged a statement, action, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took issue with" is a versatile verb phrase used to express disagreement or opposition. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It is particularly common in news, media, and academic contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it should be used judiciously in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more suitable. Key alternatives include "disagreed with", "challenged" and "objected to". The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took exception to

Similar to "took issue with" but slightly more formal.

disagreed with

Direct synonym, replaces the idiom with a simpler verb.

opposed

A simple and direct way of expressing disagreement.

objected to

Focuses on expressing an objection or disapproval.

challenged

Implies a more direct and forceful disagreement.

contradicted

Directly opposes or denies a statement.

disputed

Indicates doubt or denial of a statement or fact.

questioned

Implies asking questions to express doubt or disagreement.

contested

Suggests a formal or legal disagreement.

expressed reservations about

Indicates a degree of hesitation or doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "took issue with" in a sentence?

You can use "took issue with" to indicate disagreement, for example: "The senator "took issue with" the president's proposal."

What's a good alternative to "took issue with"?

Alternatives include "disagreed with", "challenged", or "objected to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "took issue with" and "disagreed with"?

"Took issue with" is a more formal way of saying "disagreed with". The first one often implies a more specific point of contention.

Is "took issue with" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "took issue with" is suitable for formal writing, such as news articles, academic papers, and professional reports. It conveys disagreement in a professional and neutral tone.