Nuanced question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'nuanced question' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a question that is complex and sensitive, and requires careful consideration and thought. For example: "My professor asked us a nuanced question about the politics of the country that nobody could answer immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Singer: "Are U.S. stocks finally cheap?" My, what a wonderfully intriguing and nuanced question!

Forbes

The more nuanced question, perhaps, might be: how did it go so wrong, again?

The Guardian - Business

The nuanced question we wanted to consider is this: Under what circumstances are customers sensitive to online/offline price differences?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's presumably a much less nuanced question than coordination — and it's one that seems much more likely to be demonstrated.

The Washington Post

A more nuanced question that Congress will now debate is whether Obama could have done better by maintaining economic sanctions longer and negotiating for tougher terms.

The New Yorker

The problem is that this is a highly nuanced question to which there is no consistent answer, and about which we know too little.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Instead, nuanced research questions that probe when and to what extent conceptual knowledge is embodied are likely to be more generative moving forward.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

The one sure thing about this whole snafu is that you don't get a lot of nuance in question period.

Vice

Philip Walotsky, who said that he works at a company that produces "healthy foods with a dash of Israeli-Palestinian relations," said that he appreciated Obama's nuance on questions about the Middle East.

The New Yorker

It's as sentimental as it's sharp, with a maudlin chorus that posits Joel as the magician who leaves them "feeling alright" (though there's enough nuance there to question how straight he means that line).

The Guardian - Music

However, it can be useful for compiling statistics: "Questionnaires are good for volume and statistical feedback, but they're not good for getting nuance of the question or the next step [in development]," says Gunn. Spark runs a quarterly survey to track customer perception, which is based around the analysis of the industry from consumer publication, Which?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nuanced question" when you want to emphasize the complexity and sensitivity of an inquiry, suggesting that it requires careful consideration and a deep understanding of the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "nuanced question" simply to make your writing sound more sophisticated. Ensure that the question truly warrants the description by being complex and requiring careful consideration. If a simpler term like "complex question" or "detailed question" suffices, opt for that instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nuanced question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "nuanced" modifies the noun "question". It describes the quality of the question, indicating that it possesses subtle complexities and requires careful consideration. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nuanced question" is a common phrase used to describe a question that is complex, sensitive, and requires careful thought. It is grammatically correct and frequently found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase suggests that a simple answer is insufficient and a deeper understanding is needed. When using this phrase, ensure that the question genuinely warrants the description and consider alternatives like "complex question" or "delicate question" if appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious, so use it judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Complex question

Focuses on the intricacy of the question, omitting the implication of sensitivity.

Subtle question

Emphasizes the delicacy of the question, suggesting that its meaning is not immediately obvious.

Intricate question

Highlights the complexity of the question's structure and details.

Delicate question

Focuses on the sensitive nature of the question, implying that it requires careful handling.

Sophisticated question

Suggests that the question is advanced and requires a high level of understanding.

Multifaceted question

Highlights that the question has many aspects and considerations.

Complex inquiry

Replaces "question" with a more formal synonym, inquiry, emphasizing the complex nature.

Artful question

Implies the question is crafted with skill to elicit a specific response.

Insightful question

Focuses on the potential of the question to reveal deeper understanding.

Thought-provoking question

Emphasizes the question's ability to stimulate deep consideration and reflection.

FAQs

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

You can use "nuanced question" to describe an inquiry that requires careful consideration and a deep understanding of the subject matter. For example, "The professor posed a "nuanced question" about the ethical implications of the experiment".

What's a good alternative to "nuanced question"?

Alternatives include "complex question", "delicate question", or "sophisticated question" depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always appropriate to describe a question as "nuanced"?

No, only use "nuanced question" when the question genuinely involves subtle distinctions and complexities that require careful thought. Otherwise, a simpler descriptor may be more accurate.

What makes a question "nuanced" rather than just difficult?

A "nuanced question" isn't simply hard to answer; it requires understanding subtle differences and perspectives. A difficult question might require a lot of knowledge, but a "nuanced question" demands consideration of fine distinctions and potential implications.