what was the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what was the issue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about a problem or concern that has been previously mentioned or discussed. Example: "During the meeting, I realized I had missed an important point. Can you remind me what was the issue we were addressing?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"What was the issue?

The New York Times

So what was the issue here?

The New York Times - Health

What was the issue with Lars von Trier?

The Guardian - Film

But what was the issue between Mary and her mother?

The New Yorker

Okay, so what was the issue price on the Chicago sewer bond?

Forbes

Hitting pause on the company's plans, Jalil reassessed his products, his team and himself to see what was the issue.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What is the issue there?

The Guardian

"I'd go to the managers and say, 'What is the issue?

The New York Times

What is the issue with disability as a justifiable insult for them?

Independent

What is the issue now?

BBC

So what is the issue for BP?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what was the issue", ensure the context is clear and that the 'issue' has been previously introduced or is readily apparent. This prevents confusion and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "what was the issue" without establishing a clear context or previously mentioning the issue. Without proper context, the question becomes vague and ineffective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was the issue" functions primarily as an interrogative expression, seeking to identify a specific problem, concern, or subject under discussion. As Ludwig highlights, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was the issue" is a common and grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to inquire about a specific problem or subject under discussion. As Ludwig confirms, it is correct and usable. While it is generally suitable for various contexts, from news reports to everyday conversations, it may be perceived as slightly informal in highly professional or academic settings. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "what was the issue", ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "what were the key concerns?" or "what was the problem?"

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was the problem

Replaces "issue" with a more direct synonym, focusing on a negative or undesirable situation.

what was the matter

Similar to "what was the problem", but can also refer to a state of affairs or concern.

what was the concern

Emphasizes the element of worry or anxiety surrounding a situation.

what was the difficulty

Highlights the challenging or problematic aspect of a situation.

what was the root cause

Focuses specifically on the fundamental reason behind a problem.

what was the central point

Shifts focus to the main topic or argument under discussion.

what was the key question

Highlights the essential question needing an answer.

what was the underlying reason

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious cause of a situation.

what precipitated the event

Emphasizes the cause that triggered a specific occurrence.

what was at stake

Focuses on what could be gained or lost in a given situation.

FAQs

How can I use "what was the issue" in a sentence?

Use "what was the issue" to inquire about a previously mentioned problem or topic. For example, "I missed the first part of the meeting; what was the issue discussed?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what was the issue"?

In a formal setting, you could ask "what was the problem?" or "what were the key concerns?"

What can I say instead of "what was the issue" to emphasize the cause?

To emphasize the cause, you can use alternatives like "what was the cause" or "what was the reason".

Is it always appropriate to use "what was the issue"?

While generally acceptable, "what was the issue" might sound too informal in certain professional settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "what were the concerns?" or "what problem were you addressing?"