Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,
I have some questions here as follows:

1.She�s always on a diet�she has issues about food.

Are 'she has issues about food' and 'she has issues with food' the same meaning?

What does 'has issues about food' mean?

What does 'He has issues with her' mean?

2.She can smoke - I have a problem with that.

3.I have a problem with you working at home tomorrow.

What does 'have a problem with ...' mean in #2 and #3?

Thank you very much.

[Suzanne]

Hello!

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

Thanks very much for giving examples to help me with those questions.

1.Can I say
'She has an issue with food'?

2.What is the difference between
'She has an issue with food'
and
'She has issues with food'?

3.'She has issues with food'
'She has problems with food'
Is there any subtle difference between the two sentences?

4.Could you please explain more about 'has issues with food'?
I mean in what situations we would say someone has issues with food?
Does that mean he doesn't like to eat any food?

5.'He has issues with her'
'He has problems with her'
Do the two sentences mean exactly the same?

6.I have a problem with people who are always late."
Does 'issue' work here instead of 'problem' and still mean the same?

Thank you very much again.

[Suzanne]

Hi, Learner!

Let me see if I can answer your questions:

Let's start with food....

1. We usually use "issues" instead of "an issue." The term is general and non-specific.
To have food issues means that a person might be a picky eater, have an eating disorder (such as bulemia or anorexia), might have food allergies, or have problems eating some kinds of foods.
Examples:
"He has issues with trying any new foods. No one ever wants to invite him for dinner, because his food choices are so boring."
"Many teenage girls develop food issues because they think they need to be thin in order to be beautiful."
"My friend Sarah has so many food issues! She is allergic to wheat, milk, and eggs. She has to check food ingredients before she can eat anything."
"He's had issues with the texture of foods since he was a baby. He can't tolerate anything with lumps in it, such as oatmeal or mashed potatoes."

2. You could use "an issue" if you were talking about a single food topic:
Examples:
"She has an issue with eating breakfast when she first wakes up."
"Don't bother to serve him spinach--he really has an issue with it!"
"Diabetics learn to avoid sugar. It's an important issue that they must learn to deal with."

3. "Issues with food" and "problems with food" are very similar, but not quite the same. A person could have food issues, without them being a problem. For example, "She has an issue with eating breakfast when she first wakes up." simply means she doesn't like to eat breakfast when she first wakes up. It's not really a problem in this example--it's more of a choice. "Issues" is a more general, and less judgmental way of saying it.

Now, how to use "issues" when talking about things other than food...

1. "He has issues with her." could also be said like this:
"There are things about her that bother him."
"Some things about her really bug him."
"He has a difficult time accepting some of her traits and habits."

2. Here are some other examples of ways to use "issues":
"He was having sleep issues, so he asked his doctor for a prescription for some sleeping pills."
"Their issues around money caused Mark and Melissa to have huge arguments."
"She was having so many car issues that she stopped driving and started taking the bus."
"I take issue with your opinion about Barack Obama."

3. Do "have an issue" and "have a problem" mean the same thing?
Yes, they do. However, "have a problem" is a stronger statement, while "have an issue" is a more polite. You are always safe in saying "I have an issue with people who are always late." It's bolder and more assertive to say, "I have a problem with people who are always late."

Does this help?
Thanks for asking!

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,
Thanks so much for giving many examples to explain about 'issue'. And your answer is very helpful!
Here is my further questions about 'issues/problems with someone or somthing':

1.If someone is bossy and I can't stand that, can I say 'I have issues/problems with her/him'?

2.If I have different opinions from someone else about something. Example:
A:It's cloudy in the sky, it's going to rain.
B:I don't think so.
Can I say 'B has issues/problems with A'?

3."She has a problem with eating breakfast when she first wakes up."
Can I use 'problem' instead of 'issue' here? Do you mean when we say 'have a problem with', it means there's really a problem?

4.

[Suzanne]

Hi, again!

First, I apologize if I have confused you. Using "issue" as a common term is relatively new, going back only about ten years.

"Issue" is safer to use than "problem"--it's more polite, and less specific. You won't go wrong using it.

1.If someone is bossy and I can't stand that, can I say 'I have issues/problems with her/him'?
--If it is a supervisor, or if you are in a business or social setting, I'd always stick with "issue."
--If you are with friends, "problem" could be used, but I'd still encourage you to use "issue." Using "problem" can be a problem!

2.If I have different opinions from someone else about something. Example:
A:It's cloudy in the sky, it's going to rain.
B:I don't think so.
Can I say 'B has issues/problems with A'?
I wouldn't use either word here. I would just say that B disagrees with A. A difference of opinion isn't always an issue or a problem--it's just a different way of seeing things, especially on small matters such as the weather.

3."She has a problem with eating breakfast when she first wakes up."
Can I use 'problem' instead of 'issue' here? Do you mean when we say 'have a problem with', it means there's really a problem?

To say "She has a problem with eating breakfast when she first wakes up" sounds like she has a physical difficulty eating. To say "She has an issue with eating breakfast when she first wakes up" seems like she doesn't like it, or she prefers not to eat then. Unless it really is a big issue or problem for her to eat breakfast, I would more likely say one of these:
"She can't stand to eat breakfast when she first wakes up."
"It's hard for her to eat breakfast first thing after she wakes up."
"She isn't hungry when she first wakes up."
"She prefers wait to eat breakfast, rather than when she first wakes up."
"She likes to take her time to eat breakfast after she first wakes up."

Does this make better sense, I hope?

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

Thanks again for answering my questions. I'm afraid I still have some doubts. Here are they:

1."If you are with friends, "problem" could be used, but I'd still encourage you to use "issue." Using "problem" can be a problem! ."

I'm afraid I can't figure out what you meant by 'Using "problem" can be a problem!'
Do you mean have a problem with someone/something sometimes can be a real problem but sometimes it's not a real one like "She has a problem with buying things that are not designer-made"?

2."She has issues with food."

Can it mean she might have a real problem with food such as food allergies or mightn't have a real one like in the example "She has an issue with eating breakfast when she first wakes up"?

3."A difference of opinion isn't always an issue or a problem"

Do you mean sometimes it can be an issue or a problem?
Could you please give an example if they can be used in the situation(different opinions)?

4."so he asked his doctor for a prescription for some sleeping pills."

Can I use 'problems' here? What is the difference between them?

5."Their issues around money caused Mark and Melissa to have huge arguments."

Can I use 'problems' here?
What is the difference between them?

6."She was having so many car issues that she stopped driving and started taking the bus."

Can I use 'problems' here?
What is the difference between them?

Thank you ver much
Have a nice day!

[Suzanne]

Oh, my, this is getting complicated! Let me try again. I have inserted BOLD statements after your questions.

1."If you are with friends, "problem" could be used, but I'd still encourage you to use "issue." Using "problem" can be a problem! ."

I'm afraid I can't figure out what you meant by 'Using "problem" can be a problem!'
Do you mean have a problem with someone/something sometimes can be a real problem but sometimes it's not a real one like "She has a problem with buying things that are not designer-made"?

No, I simply meant that saying "problem" can be considered rude. That's why I recommend sticking with "issue" unless you are speaking with friends or in comfortable situations.
2."She has issues with food."

Can it mean she might have a real problem with food such as food allergies or mightn't have a real one like in the example "She has an issue with eating breakfast when she first wakes up"?

It can mean either one. Using "issue" is vague, so it sometimes needs an explanation.

3."A difference of opinion isn't always an issue or a problem"

Do you mean sometimes it can be an issue or a problem?
Could you please give an example if they can be used in the situation(different opinions)?

Having different opinions is human nature. Just because people disagree, it doesn't mean there is anything wrong. I wouldn't call it an issue or a problem, unless the difference became exaggerated or malicious.
4."so he asked his doctor for a prescription for some sleeping pills."

Can I use 'problems' here? What is the difference between them?

Yes, you could use both. There is no difference.

5."Their issues around money caused Mark and Melissa to have huge arguments."

Can I use 'problems' here?
What is the difference between them?

Yes, you could use both. If you use "problem," it will have to say, "Their money problems caused Mark and Melissa to have huge arguments."

6."She was having so many car issues that she stopped driving and started taking the bus."

Can I use 'problems' here?
What is the difference between them?

Yes, you could use both. There is no difference.

To review: "issues" and "problems" usually mean the same thing. In today's English, "issues" has become the preferred word. It's always acceptable, and is considered to be more polite.

dos this help?

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

All your answers are very helpful and thanks very much for that.

1.Is it true that 'have a problem with somthing/someone' can mean either 'not happy about'(not real problems) or 'you have difficuties in doing something(real problems)?

2."have problems with food" or 'have food problems'
Can this phrase mean there are no real problems? Let me borrow one of your examples:

"Many teenage girls develop food issues/problems" because they think they need to be thin in order to be beautiful."

Is it fine to use 'problems' here without changing the meaning?

3."I take issue with your opinion about Barack Obama."

Does the sentence mean I disagree with your opinion about Barack Obama?


Have a nice weekend!

[Suzanne]

Hello from Seattle!

It looks like you are really getting a good grasp on this. I'll answer each question in BOLD below:

1.Is it true that 'have a problem with somthing/someone' can mean either 'not happy about'(not real problems) or 'you have difficuties in doing something(real problems)?

Yes! It can mean either:
"I have a problem with the way she keeps her car. It is always dirty, and the floor is littered with empty Starbucks cups." [I'm not happy with her messy car.]
"He has a problem with money. He is always in debt." [He has difficulty managing his finances.]

2."have problems with food" or 'have food problems'
Can this phrase mean there are no real problems? Let me borrow one of your examples:

"Many teenage girls develop food issues/problems" because they think they need to be thin in order to be beautiful."

No, it means there is a problem or issue. In this example, teenage girls don't eat properly, in order to look like the thin models they see in magazines or in movies. That is definitely a problem!
Is it fine to use 'problems' here without changing the meaning?

3."I take issue with your opinion about Barack Obama."

Does the sentence mean I disagree with your opinion about Barack Obama?

Exactly! Good job understanding the meaning of "take issue." It's a phrase that means to disagree.

I hope all our questions and answers have helped you. It's been fun to talk about the many levels and meanings of "issue."

Hope your weekend is going well!
[/b]

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,

[Suzanne]

Hello!

See my responses below each question:

1."He has issues with trying any new foods. No one ever wants to invite him for dinner, because his food choices are so boring."

Does 'issues' here mean 'real problems'? Can I use 'problems' here?
No, it doesn't mean a real problem. It means he doesn't like to try new foods.

2."Don't bother to serve him spinach--he really has an issue with it!"
It means he doesn't like spinach.

Can I use 'problem' here? Is there any difference between them? Can they both mean a real problem or not?
Neither one is a problem. In both sentences, "issue" is a nice way of saying that he doesn't like something.

3.When you only say 'someone has problems with food', is it necessary to mean real problems or not certain without more context?
If you say someone has a problem with food, it is better to add a specific reason why. If you use "isse," you don't have to give a reason.

4."Diabetics learn to avoid sugar. It's an important issue that they must learn to deal with."
Is it fine to use 'problem' here without changing the meaning?
Sugar is the problem for diabetics. Learning to avoid it is more of an issue, because it means learning a new way to eat; that's not necessarily a problem.

5.The last question is that is it fine to use 'issue' to mean have difficuties in doing something like 'problem' does?
Example:
"He has a problem with walking around because he injured his leg recently."

Can I use 'issue' instead of 'problem here? does issue imply the same meaning?
This sentence is better with "problem": "He has a problem walking, because he recentl injured his leg."

Hope this helps!

[learner1]

[Suzanne]

1."He has issues with trying any new foods. No one ever wants to invite him for dinner, because his food choices are so boring."

You could say, "He has a problem with trying new foods." but that would be an awkward sentence. It might also be overstating the situation, depending on how hard it is for him to try new foods.

I think you're starting to overthink this. Let me give you a couple rules of thumb:
1. Use "issue" when you want to be polite or appropriate. It's a general term that applies to most situations, including a non-critical challenge, a disagreement, or a preference.
Examples:
"He has to be careful with exercise, because of his back issues."
"I take issue with your opinion about global warming."
"She has issues with foods that contain mushrooms."
"I have an issue with people who are always late."

2. Use "problem" for something that is critical, including health; something that is sudden or overwhelming.
"After falling off the ladder, he had back problems for months."
"The unemployment rate has caused huge problems for the state."
"Being unable to pay the mortgage has become a real problem for many people in the United States."
"John, you have been late every day this week. Is there a problem?"

I hope this will help.

[learner1]

Hello Suzanne,
Thanks for your reply very much.
I still don't understand why 'problem' is better here:
"He has a problem with walking around because he injured his leg recently."
Could you explain why 'issue' is not good here?

Quote:
{2. Use "problem" for something that is critical, including health; something that is sudden or overwhelming.
"After falling off the ladder, he had back problems for months."
"The unemployment rate has caused huge problems for the state."
"Being unable to pay the mortgage has become a real problem for many people in the United States."
"John, you have been late every day this week. Is there a problem?" }

Does 'issue' work in all the sentences above in quote if we want to express them politely?

Have a nince day!