unpleasant issues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unpleasant issues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to topics or problems that are difficult, uncomfortable, or distressing to deal with. Example: "During the meeting, we had to address several unpleasant issues that had been affecting team morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But that did not mean that unpleasant issues could not come up.

The New York Times

Wachovia, which contended with unpleasant issues when it acquired the CoreStates Financial Corporation several years ago, including flagging employee morale and a rapid loss of customers disgruntled about poor service, has become much more sensitive about such matters.

The New York Times

The interest in the shooting would soak up much of the interview time and since he has to talk about it anyway, this would make him seem responsive and open without having to spend a lot of time on the tougher and more politically unpleasant issues like war, Katrina etc".

The New York Times

We've had our own unpleasant issues with Sethi as well, all documented here.

TechCrunch

Allied to this tendency to avoid unpleasant issues was his desire to put the best construction on disagreeable events.

University of Chicago

They are a way of checking that you can perform according to required standards in the job and whether you're a team player, a good leader or manager, etc. and likely to fit in or cause unpleasant issues that don't otherwise leap out from your CV and interview process.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It is rare to see them working on an area that is a tough, unpleasant issue and that is pretty far removed from their core customer base".

The New York Times

If you needed an unpleasant issue to go away, or a nasty tidbit to improve your standing in a divorce or business dispute, he was the go-to guy.

The New York Times - Arts

THE task of raising a most unpleasant issue was undertaken outside a home on Denver's east side, where a determined woman named Luddie Hicks raised seven children, all on her own.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, I'm struggling to think of anything sexy one might wear in winter (even fashion magazines can only ever come up with "cosy knits"), other than Mariah Carey's sexy Santa outfit, and we dealt with that unpleasant issue last month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seb Gordon, from the Rail Delivery Group, said: "We understand this is a pretty unpleasant issue and we are committed to spending billions of pounds on new trains to reduce the number of carriages where this is an issue".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When addressing sensitive topics, using "unpleasant issues" can soften the impact while still acknowledging the difficulty. Consider your audience and the level of formality required.

Common error

While "unpleasant issues" is milder than more direct terms, avoid excessive euphemisms that obscure the real problems. Clarity is still crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unpleasant issues" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unpleasant" modifies the noun "issues". Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, commonly used to denote problems or topics that are difficult or uncomfortable to address.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unpleasant issues" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe difficult or uncomfortable problems. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a suitable expression for diverse contexts, particularly within News & Media, Science and Wiki. While offering a softer tone than more direct terms, it is important to maintain clarity and avoid excessive euphemisms. Consider alternatives like "difficult problems" or "challenging concerns" based on the desired nuance and level of formality. Overall, the phrase is a useful tool for navigating sensitive discussions with professionalism and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult problems

Replaces "unpleasant" with "difficult", focusing on the challenge posed by the issues.

troublesome matters

Uses "troublesome" to convey the problematic nature of the issues, shifting the tone slightly.

challenging concerns

Emphasizes the difficulty in addressing the concerns, highlighting the demanding aspect.

thorny questions

Employs "thorny" to suggest issues that are complex and potentially painful to deal with.

awkward situations

Focuses on the discomfort and unease associated with the issues, altering the emphasis.

sensitive subjects

Highlights the delicate nature of the issues, suggesting they require careful handling.

delicate situations

This stresses the need for a sensitive approach, adding a layer of formality.

undesirable circumstances

Replaces both words with synonyms, increasing the level of formality.

unwelcome developments

Focuses on the arrival or occurrence of the issues, implying a negative impact.

vexing matters

This describes issues that are irritating or annoying. This alternative increases the level of formality.

FAQs

How can I use "unpleasant issues" in a sentence?

You can use "unpleasant issues" to refer to difficult or uncomfortable topics. For instance, "The committee had to address several "unpleasant issues" during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "unpleasant issues"?

Alternatives include "difficult problems", "troublesome matters", or "challenging concerns", depending on the specific context and tone you want to convey.

Is "unpleasant issues" formal or informal?

"Unpleasant issues" falls in a neutral to slightly formal register. It's suitable for professional or academic settings but can also be used in news or media contexts.

When should I avoid using "unpleasant issues"?

Avoid using "unpleasant issues" if a more direct and transparent term is needed for clarity or if the situation calls for a stronger, more assertive expression.