address an issue

IELTS use

Essential for discussing solutions and policies in Task 2 essays and Speaking Part 3.

Examples

1. The government must address the issue of homelessness with urgent measures.
2. Schools can address the issue of bullying through awareness programmes and stricter rules.
3. Researchers are trying to address the issue of antibiotic resistance.

Collocations

address the issue of

The report addresses the issue of plastic pollution in oceans.

directly address

The new policy directly addresses the issue of income inequality.

effectively address

Without proper funding, it is difficult to effectively address the issue of climate change.

address an issue comprehensively

The plan aims to address the issue of urban poverty comprehensively.

Paraphrases

• tackle a problem: More active and informal; common in spoken English.
• resolve a problem: Implies a solution is reached; more definitive.
• deal with a matter: General; less formal but widely used.

Common mistakes

• We need to address about the issue of pollution. to We need to address the issue of pollution.. The verb 'address' takes a direct object; do not add 'about'.
• The issue was addressed by a committee. to The issue was addressed by a committee.. Correct; ensure passive voice is used properly. A common mistake is to write 'addressed the issue by committee' missing the article.
• Addressing issue of traffic is necessary. to Addressing the issue of traffic is necessary.. Always include the definite article 'the' before 'issue' in this construction.