what the issue is

USAGE SUMMARY

"What the issue is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking a question or introducing a subject. For example: "What the issue is, is that I don't understand why you did that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's what the issue is.

The New York Times

That's not what the issue is.

The New Yorker

"That's what the issue is to me".

The New York Times

We all know what the issue is.

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't see what the issue is," Tallon said.

The New York Times - Sports

So I'm not clear what the issue is".

The New York Times

"We don't even know what the issue is," he said.

The Guardian - Arts

"I just hit 'open' and see what the issue is".

The New York Times - Tech

It is now very obvious what the issue is.

The Guardian

"It really brings the focus back to what the issue is about," she said.

The New York Times

"He's 100percentt for the unions, no matter what the issue is," Mr. Rocker said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what the issue is", ensure it's followed by a clause that clarifies or elaborates on the issue. For example: "What the issue is, is that we lack sufficient funding."

Common error

Avoid using "what the issue is" without clearly specifying the issue itself. Ensure clarity by immediately following the phrase with a concise explanation of the problem or topic at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what the issue is" functions as a subject complement or predicate nominative, often introducing a clarifying statement or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in introducing or focusing on the core problem or topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what the issue is" serves as a versatile phrase for introducing and clarifying a central problem or topic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and common in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media, Science and Wiki. When using the expression, ensure clarity by specifying the problem immediately. Consider alternatives like "what the problem is" to maintain semantic similarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what the problem is

This alternative directly substitutes 'issue' with 'problem', keeping the sentence's structure and meaning almost identical.

what the concern is

This alternative replaces 'issue' with 'concern', shifting the focus slightly towards a feeling of worry or unease.

what the matter is

This alternative uses 'matter' in place of 'issue', which is a common way to ask about a problem or difficulty.

what the difficulty is

This alternative substitutes 'issue' with 'difficulty', focusing on the problematic aspect of the situation.

what the question is

This alternative replaces 'issue' with 'question', emphasizing the point or subject that needs to be addressed.

what the point is

This alternative focuses on identifying the central or most important aspect of a discussion or situation.

what the subject is

This alternative is a more general way of asking about the topic under discussion.

what the situation is

This alternative broadens the scope to encompass the overall circumstances or state of affairs.

what the crux is

This alternative replaces 'issue' with 'crux', pinpointing the decisive or critical point at stake.

what the core of the matter is

This alternative identifies the essential or fundamental element of the situation or discussion.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "what the issue is"?

You can use alternatives like "what the problem is", "what the concern is", or "what the difficulty is" depending on the specific context.

How to use "what the issue is" in a sentence?

You can use "what the issue is" to introduce the main topic or problem in a discussion. For example, "What the issue is, is that we need more resources for this project."

Which is correct, "what the issue is" or "what is the issue"?

"What the issue is" is typically used to introduce or clarify a problem, while "what is the issue?" is a direct question seeking to identify the problem. They serve different grammatical functions.

What's the difference between "what the issue is" and "what the point is"?

"What the issue is" refers to a specific problem or topic of concern, whereas "what the point is" refers to the central idea or purpose being discussed. They are related but not interchangeable.