This brings up the issue of

Using this phrase is like being a DJ at a high-end club. You are transitioning from one track (your current topic) to the next (the problem) without the beat dropping. The grammar is simple: [Statement of fact] + this brings up the issue of + [Noun or Noun Phrase]. For example, "The company is growing fast, and this brings up the issue of office space." You can also use it at the start of a sentence to link back to a previous paragraph in an essay. It’s a favorite for IELTS and TOEFL writers because it creates 'cohesion.' Pro tip: Don't just use it for tiny problems. Use it for 'issues'—things that require discussion, debate, or a solution. It’s the difference between saying "we ran out of milk" and "this brings up the issue of our grocery budget."

This phrase lives comfortably in the 'formal' to 'neutral' zone. You will hear it constantly in university lectures, business meetings, and Netflix documentaries. It is the bread and butter of 'C1 level' English. If you use it in a text message to your best friend about what movie to watch, you might sound a bit like a philosophy professor. However, in a professional Slack channel or a LinkedIn post, it is perfect. It strikes a balance between being polite and being direct. It says, "I am serious about this topic, and I want us to think about it deeply." It avoids the bluntness of "But the problem is..." which can sometimes sound a bit aggressive or negative. Using this brings up the issue of makes the problem feel like a natural part of the process, rather than a mistake someone made.

Imagine you are watching a YouTube video essay about the ethics of AI art. The narrator says, "AI can generate images in seconds, but this brings up the issue of copyright." That’s a classic use case. Or picture a Zoom meeting where your boss is talking about a new remote work policy. You might chime in with, "That sounds great, but this brings up the issue of time zone differences for the team in London." Even on social media, you’ll see it. A travel vlogger might post a photo of a beautiful, crowded beach and write, "Overtourism is real, and this brings up the issue of sustainable travel." It’s the phrase people use when they want to be taken seriously. It’s much more effective than just saying "There is a problem with..." because it connects the problem to a context.

Use this phrase when you want to look smart in a meeting or an essay. It’s perfect for 'pivot points' in a discussion. Use it when one good thing leads to a complicated thing. For example, if you win the lottery, this brings up the issue of taxes. (A high-quality problem to have, right?) It’s also great for academic writing where you need to move from a cause to an effect. Use it in job interviews when discussing challenges you’ve faced. It shows you can analyze situations and identify secondary effects. If you’re writing a blog post or a long-form caption on Instagram about a complex topic like mental health or career growth, this phrase acts as a perfect paragraph connector. It keeps your audience following your logic without getting lost.

Do not use this phrase for trivial, everyday annoyances. If your roommate forgot to take out the trash, saying "this brings up the issue of the bin" will make them think you’ve been reading too many textbooks. It’s too heavy for small talk. Also, avoid using it when you are actually angry. If you say, "You’re late again, and this brings up the issue of your reliability," it sounds incredibly cold and corporate—which might actually be scarier than shouting, but it won't help the relationship! Finally, don't use it if there isn't actually a logical connection. If you are talking about the weather and suddenly say, "this brings up the issue of my cat's diet," people will be very confused. The 'bridge' needs to lead somewhere that makes sense.

Another mistake is forgetting the 'the'. You need that little 'the' to make it sound professional. Without it, the sentence feels like it's missing a tooth. Also, watch your verb tense. If you are talking about something that happened in the past, it's this brought up the issue of. Don't get stuck in the present if the conversation has moved on!

If you find yourself using this phrase too much, you can swap it out for this raises the question of. This is slightly more philosophical. You could also try this highlights the problem of if you want to be more dramatic. In a more casual professional setting, you might say this points to a concern regarding. If you want to sound very academic, try this gives rise to the complication of. On the flip side, if you're texting a colleague and want to be quicker, this leads to the problem of works just fine. There’s also the classic this opens up a discussion about. Think of these as different flavors of the same ice cream. They all do the same job, but some are a bit fancier than others. This brings up the issue of is the 'vanilla'—it works with everything.

Is issue always a bad thing? Not necessarily! An 'issue' can just be a topic that needs to be settled. However, in this specific phrase, it almost always points to a challenge or a complication that needs fixing.

Can I use it in an email to my boss? Absolutely. It’s one of the best ways to point out a flaw in a plan without sounding like a hater. It makes the problem sound like an objective fact.

What’s the difference between this and raises the question? Raises the question is usually followed by a 'Why' or 'How' (a question). Brings up the issue of is followed by a 'What' (a noun/problem). Use raises the question when you want to ask something, and brings up the issue when you want to name something.