issus
HighFormal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
An important topic or problem that people discuss or need to decide about; the act of officially giving or supplying something (e.g., documents, money).
A particular version or set of items (e.g., a magazine issue); the act of flowing or coming out; a result or outcome; a point of dispute; a problem that needs to be solved; a formal distribution of shares or securities.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun 'issue' has a broad semantic field covering topics/problems, publications, and distributions. As a verb, it ranges from formal distribution to the act of emerging. The phrase 'take issue with' is a formal idiom for disagreeing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight spelling preference for 'issue' as a verb meaning 'to result' (more common in formal BrE: 'It issued from...'). In AmE, 'issue' is slightly more frequent in corporate/business contexts (e.g., 'issue a statement').
Connotations
In both, 'issue' can be a euphemism for 'problem'. 'Have issues with' (to have problems/disagreements with) is more recent and common in AmE.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, especially in political, business, and administrative contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] issue with sth/sb[V] issue sth (to sb)[V] issue from sth[V] have issues with sb/sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “take issue with sb/sth”
- “make an issue (out) of sth”
- “at issue”
- “force the issue”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company will issue new shares to raise capital. A press release was issued.
Academic
The central issue in this debate is the methodology used.
Everyday
What's the issue with the printer? He has some issues with his neighbour.
Technical
The software team will issue a patch for the security vulnerability.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will issue new parking permits next week.
- A strange sound issued from the old pipes.
American English
- The State Department issued a travel advisory.
- Smoke issued from the chimney.
adjective
British English
- This is an issue-based debate.
- The issue date is on the front page.
American English
- They focus on issue-oriented politics.
- Check the issue number of the comic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is not a big issue.
- I bought the latest issue of my favourite magazine.
- Let's discuss the main issue at the meeting.
- The bank will issue a new card to you.
- Environmental issues are a priority for the government.
- He took issue with the report's conclusions.
- The committee is grappling with the complex ethical issues surrounding the technology.
- The bonds were issued at a premium to fund the infrastructure project.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a newspaper's ISSUE date – it's both a published thing and a topic of the day.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE ENTANGLEMENTS/KNOTS ('a thorny issue'), IDEAS ARE OBJECTS ('to issue a statement').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'иссу' (to dry up). 'Issue' as a noun is often 'вопрос' (question/topic) or 'проблема' (problem), not 'исход' (outcome). 'Выпуск' is for publications/editions.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'issue' as a countable noun for any small problem ('I have an issue with my pen' – overformal). Confusing 'issue' with 'problem' where 'problem' is more direct. 'Issuing from' used incorrectly for simple 'coming from'.
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'take issue with', the word 'issue' is closest in meaning to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used for problems, it can be neutral (e.g., 'topic for discussion', 'magazine issue'). It is more formal and broader than 'problem'.
A 'problem' implies something wrong needing a solution. An 'issue' is a topic for discussion or debate, which may or may not be a problem. 'Issue' is often used as a softer, more formal synonym for 'problem'.
Yes, commonly. It means to formally give, supply, or send out (issue a passport, issue a statement) or, less commonly, to come out from a source ('steam issued from the vent').
It's a formal idiom meaning 'in dispute' or 'under discussion'. Example: 'The point at issue is whether we have the legal authority to proceed.'