Sign In Get Started
Prepositions with nouns

Using “issue” with of and on

Issue often appears with of in noun phrases and with on when introducing a topic or subject.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are natural with “issue”?

Of issue appears in expressions such as a matter of issue or issues of safety. On issue is less common as a direct pair, but on can introduce the topic being discussed, as in a debate on the issue.

They raised an issue of safety.
The committee published a report on the issue.
There was no disagreement on the issue.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
issue of + noun

Type or subject of an issue

Use of to specify what the issue concerns.

an issue of fairness
2
on the issue

Opinion or discussion topic

Use on with issue when talking about views, debates, or information concerning a topic.

She spoke on the issue for an hour.
3
issue with + noun

Problem involving something

Issue with is common for difficulties or faults.

We had an issue with the software.
4
issue in + field

Issue within an area

In can place the issue inside a broader field or context.

a major issue in education

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
issue of safety
This is an issue of public safety.
correct for specifying the subject of concern
on the issue
The minister commented on the issue.
correct for discussion or opinion about a topic
of issue
The phrase appeared in a legal document.
possible in limited formal contexts, but not a common standalone pattern
on issue
The committee met on the issue.
on usually belongs to the wider phrase, not directly to issue alone

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using on after issue without context

On normally introduces a topic of discussion.

✕ This is an issue on safety. ✓ This is an issue of safety.

Confusing issue with problem structure

Issue with is common for practical difficulties.

✕ We had an issue of the printer. ✓ We had an issue with the printer.

Missing an article

Issue is usually countable.

✕ They discussed issue of cost. ✓ They discussed an issue of cost.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The article focuses ___ the issue of housing.
2. It became an issue ___ trust.
3. We had an issue ___ the network connection.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

Free to try · No signup required

Frequently asked questions

Is on issue correct English?

Usually on belongs to a larger phrase such as comments on the issue, not directly to issue alone.

When do we use issue of?

Use issue of to name the subject or area involved, such as issue of privacy.

What is the difference between issue with and issue of?

Issue with usually means a problem involving something, while issue of names a topic or concern.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

Write with confidence in Linguix

Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.

Create a free account