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Yukineko



Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 64

PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:14 am    Post subject: Problem or Issue Reply with quote

Hello teachers. I would like to know the difference between "problem" and "issue." I'm studying English writing, and the textbook says the following sentence is not correct.

"A good citizen ought to express his opinions responsibly about various *problems."

It says "problems" must be replaced by "issues" because an "issue" is something that people are discussing, and a "problem" is something that causes difficulties for people. Do you agree with this explanation? If so, is it impossible to say " Now, we are talking about the PROBLEM"? Do we have to say, "Now we are talking about the ISSUE"?
I'm confused.... Please help me understand the differences.

Yukineko
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Educationslave



Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 25
Location: Minneapolis, minnesota

PostPosted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:33 pm    Post subject: hey Reply with quote

I'm not a teacher but I am a native english speaker. from what I understand problems are usually more physical than issues and it would be correct to say both
"lets discuss the problem" and "lets discuss the issue"
the only real "problem" when talking about such things is what you would call certain things Issues or Problems.
Edu
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