Cool MateThat's an issue vs Topic
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's an issue
Top 2,000 (common)
Topic
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Topic
| That's an issue | Topic | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ən ˈɪʃuː//🇺🇸 //ðæts ən ˈɪʃu// | 🇬🇧 //ˈtɒpɪk//🇺🇸 //ˈtɑːpɪk// |
| Meaning | It's a problem or concern. | A subject or matter discussed or written about. |
| Example | That's an issue we need to resolve before the project deadline. | We need to choose a topic for our presentation. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | address an issue, report an issue, identify an issue, resolve an issue, discuss an issue | current topic, main topic, popular topic, interesting topic, discussion topic |
| Antonyms | - | irrelevance, distraction |
| Common mistakes | Using 'issue' interchangeably with 'problem' without context., Saying 'that's issues' instead of 'that's an issue'., Overusing this phrase in positive contexts. | Confused with 'agenda' which refers to a list of topics., Using 'topic' without context or specificity can lead to ambiguity., Mispronouncing it as 'top-ic' instead of 'topic'. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase to point out a problem during discussions. It works well in both formal meetings and casual conversations. | Used in various contexts, including formal and informal discussions. Avoid using in overly casual settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's an issue vs Topic
What's the difference between That's an issue and Topic?
That's an issue: It's a problem or concern. Topic: A subject or matter discussed or written about.
Which is more common: That's an issue and Topic?
Topic is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's an issue: That's an issue we need to resolve before the project deadline. Topic: We need to choose a topic for our presentation.
Can I use That's an issue and Topic interchangeably?
Not always. That's an issue and Topic are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.