touchy issue for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "touchy issue for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a sensitive or controversial topic that may provoke strong emotions or reactions from people. Example: "The topic of climate change is a touchy issue for many communities, as it often leads to heated debates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Legacy admissions have become an increasingly touchy issue for colleges.

The New York Times

"Papua is a very touchy issue for us," he said.

The New York Times

But now, thanks to the easy-access engendered by the World Wide Web, fear of leaks is becoming a touchy issue for more than just rappers and superstars.

The New York Times - Arts

Luxembourg, he points out, has the EU's lowest jobless rate.Tax is a touchy issue for Luxembourg, which lures huge amounts of German savings by not charging withholding tax on bank interest.

The Economist

Secondly, the normal equity breakdown — which is a perennially touchy issue for any company — makes even less sense for a gaming company.

TechCrunch

His plaint raises a touchy issue for all companies at time when they are more preoccupied with the bottom line than at any other time in the past 20 or 30 years.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

All of these are touchy issues for most co-ops".

The New York Times

The comments, raising for the first time the touchy issue of homosexuality amid the sexual abuse scandal, once again spoke to the Vatican's continued difficulties in effectively tackling the crisis.

The New York Times

Mr Putin said the two countries no longer looked at each other through gun sights and surprised Mr Bush with new ideas for extensive co-operation on the touchy issue of missile defences.

The Economist

Many of the students even change their opinions about the touchy issue of Taiwan's sovereignty.

BBC

Landlessness - for a man whose family owns huge tracts of land in different parts of Kenya, Mr Kenyatta will be under a lot of scrutiny to see how he tackles the touchy issue of land ownership.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "touchy issue for" with specific details to provide context and demonstrate a clear understanding of the sensitivity involved. For example, "Economic policy is a touchy issue for many voters during election years".

Common error

Avoid using "touchy issue for" as a generic disclaimer. If you identify a topic as touchy, be prepared to explain why and what sensitivities are involved. Lack of specific context can make your statement seem insincere or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "touchy issue for" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular topic or subject is sensitive and potentially controversial for a specific group or individual. It prefaces a discussion to alert the audience to the delicate nature of the matter. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s a common phrase used to introduce sensitive subjects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

8%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "touchy issue for" is a useful tool for signaling that a topic is sensitive and potentially controversial, and Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly used in news and media, as well as more informal contexts like wikis, to alert the audience to the delicate nature of the matter. While grammatically sound, it's important to provide context and avoid overusing the phrase without explaining the specific sensitivities involved. Alternatives like "sensitive subject for" or "delicate matter for" can be used to vary your language while conveying a similar meaning. Overall, understanding how to use this phrase effectively can help you approach sensitive topics with greater awareness and care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sensitive subject for

Replaces 'touchy' with 'sensitive', maintaining the meaning of delicacy and potential controversy.

delicate matter for

Substitutes 'touchy issue' with 'delicate matter', emphasizing the need for careful handling.

controversial topic for

Uses 'controversial topic' instead of 'touchy issue', highlighting the element of disagreement and debate.

problematic area for

Changes 'touchy issue' to 'problematic area', focusing on the challenges and difficulties associated with the subject.

difficult question for

Replaces 'issue' with 'question' framing it as something needing a careful and thoughtful consideration.

awkward subject for

Uses 'awkward' instead of 'touchy', indicating discomfort and unease surrounding the topic.

challenging concern for

Replaces 'touchy issue' with 'challenging concern', underlining the complexity and importance of the matter.

sensitive point for

Similar to 'sensitive subject', but uses 'point' to narrow the focus to a specific aspect.

contentious area for

Replaces 'touchy issue' with 'contentious area', highlighting the likelihood of arguments and disputes.

vexed question for

Uses 'vexed' to suggest the issue causes worry and difficulty.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe something as a "touchy issue for" someone?

Describing something as a "touchy issue for" someone means that the topic is sensitive or controversial and might cause discomfort, disagreement, or emotional reactions.

What can I say instead of "touchy issue for"?

You can use alternatives like "sensitive subject for", "delicate matter for", or "controversial topic for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I effectively address a "touchy issue for" others in my writing?

Acknowledge the sensitivity, provide context, and use respectful language. Show that you understand the potential for different viewpoints and are approaching the topic with care.

Is it always necessary to preface a sensitive topic with "touchy issue for"?

No, but it can be helpful when you want to explicitly acknowledge the sensitivity of a topic. However, you can also convey sensitivity through your tone and choice of words without explicitly labeling it as a "touchy issue for".