What is "problem", "trouble", and "issue" ?
The
words "problem", "trouble", and
"issue"
are very close in meaning. What's the difference between them? The
answer is quite complicated, actually!
Let's look at the meaning
of each word and some of the ways that they're used:
The word
"problem" is connected with the word "solution". A
problem is something negative that needs to be solved. Some bad things that
happen can't be called "problems" because they're unsolvable. For
example, if you broke your leg, you probably wouldn't call your broken leg a
"problem". The broken leg can't be fixed. On the other hand, figuring
out how to get to work with a broken leg is a problem.
"Trouble" is
less connected to solutions. It's more connected to negative feelings that
you get when bad things happen.
"Issue" is
associated with difficult decisions and disagreements.
We use "issue" in a similar way to "problem" or
"trouble", but it also has another meaning. It can mean a topic that
people are talking about or disagreeing on. Social issues and political issues
are examples of this kind of "issue"
Never think your problems are unsolvable :