Clear question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Clear question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that a question is straightforward and easy to understand. Example: "To ensure we are on the same page, please provide a clear question regarding the project requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

That is the clear question.

The Guardian - Sport

One reasonably clear question could be whether Ms. Harris acted on a misinterpretation of the law.

The New York Times

"For Mind Change there is no answer as such, because there is no clear question or goal".

The Guardian

Mr. Banks said the Hurell-Harring case raised a clear question for the courts — "whether Gideon and the right to counsel has meaning or not".

The New York Times

This says that Quebec, or any other province, could secede from Canada only if a "clear" majority voted yes to a "clear" question (neither is defined).

The Economist

Langton said "one clear question" was needed, which removed racist powers in the constitution and created a mechanism for Indigenous people to have a voice in parliament.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Clear questions have been raised in response but no final code yet produced.

The Guardian

But the Amex situation raises clear questions about whether such arrangements are tenable amid such intense competition.

The New York Times

Though the collapse raised clear questions about the supervision of the job, the Buildings Department shut down the site for only three days.

The New York Times

"There are a number of clear questions that need to be asked," Jenkins wrote.

BBC

"There should be clear questions, not leading questions.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When formulating a question, ensure it addresses a single, identifiable issue to qualify as a "clear question". Avoid combining multiple inquiries into one, as this can lead to confusion and ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use overly broad or ambiguous language when asking a question. A "clear question" should be specific and focused, allowing for a direct and concise answer. For instance, instead of asking "What are your thoughts?", pose a more specific inquiry like "What are your thoughts on the proposed marketing strategy?".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Clear question" is to act as a noun phrase. The adjective "Clear" modifies the noun "Question", indicating a specific attribute of the question. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Clear question" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to emphasize the straightforward and unambiguous nature of an inquiry. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. To ensure effective communication, it's recommended to formulate questions that address single, identifiable issues, avoiding vague phrasing. Alternatives like "unambiguous question" or "straightforward question" can be used for variety. Overall, "Clear question" serves as a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unambiguous question

Replaces "clear" with "unambiguous", emphasizing the lack of ambiguity in the question.

Straightforward question

Substitutes "clear" with "straightforward", indicating the directness and simplicity of the question.

Explicit question

Uses "explicit" instead of "clear", highlighting the question's explicitness and lack of implied meaning.

Precise question

Replaces "clear" with "precise", focusing on the question's accuracy and exactness.

Well-defined question

Emphasizes that the question is properly defined and structured, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Lucid question

Uses "lucid" to suggest the question is easily understood and coherent.

Readily understandable question

Focuses on the ease with which the question can be understood.

Easily answered question

Shifts the focus slightly to the answerability of the question, implying its clarity.

Uncomplicated question

Replaces "clear" with "uncomplicated", emphasizing the simplicity of the question.

Distinct question

Suggests the question stands out and is easily distinguishable from others.

FAQs

How can I use "Clear question" in a sentence?

You can use "Clear question" when you want to emphasize that the inquiry is straightforward and easily understood. For example: "To ensure we're aligned, please provide a "clear question" regarding the project scope."

What are some alternatives to "Clear question"?

Alternatives to "Clear question" include "unambiguous question", "straightforward question", or "explicit question" depending on the context.

What makes a question "clear"?

A "clear question" is characterized by its precision, directness, and lack of ambiguity. It focuses on a single issue and avoids vague or overly broad language. It is a question that can be easily understood and answered without requiring additional clarification.

Is there a difference between a "clear question" and a "simple question"?

While both terms suggest ease of understanding, a "clear question" emphasizes the absence of ambiguity and the directness of the inquiry, whereas a "simple question" focuses more on the complexity or elementary nature of the question's content. A question can be simple in content but unclear in its phrasing, and vice versa.