1
Core action
Disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
Example
Several historians take issue with the article's central assumption.
take issue with
/teɪk ˈɪʃuː wɪð/ · tayk ISH-oo withargument phrase
Disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
Use take issue with to express this relationship precisely: disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
What take issue with Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
The reviewer took issue with the claim that the sample was representative.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Later researchers take issue with how the categories were defined.
Use take issue with Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Several historians take issue with the article's central assumption.
The reviewer took issue with the claim that the sample was representative.
Later researchers take issue with how the categories were defined.
Precision Matters
Take issue with overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
take issue with
vs.Means disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
challenge the assumption that
Means question an underlying belief on which reasoning depends.
take issue with
vs.Means disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
call into question
Means raise doubts about the truth, reliability, or validity of something.
take issue with
vs.Means disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
refute
Means to prove that a claim is false.
take issue with
vs.Means disagree with or challenge a claim, interpretation, or action.
repudiate
Means reject a claim, belief, agreement, or association as false, invalid, or unacceptable.
Test take issue with in Context
The author challenges the conclusion without rejecting the dates themselves.
1
The author accepts the new dates but ___ the conclusion drawn from them.