a central question for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central question for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a key issue or topic that is significant to a particular subject or context. Example: "The central question for this research is how climate change impacts biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

And this is relevant to what is still a central question for the Labour party.

The Guardian - Books

A central question for linguistic anthropology is whether differences in cultural and structural usage among diverse languages promote differences among human communities in how the world is understood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jeremy Shapiro, who recently left the State Department to join the Brookings Institution in Washington, has put his finger on a central question for foreign policy.

The Economist

A central question for the next mayor and City Council will be when to make residential recycling of food waste mandatory, with violators subject to fines.

The New York Times

A central question for 2016 is whether the mostly cohesive stitching of the left and center, a feature of both the Clinton and Obama years, will last.

The New York Times

A central question for New Orleans has been how much of its population would return, and 4 in 10 of those interviewed said they definitely or probably would.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It is a central question of today's game for the Giants and probably for their season since the Eagles (9-5) can dethrone the Giants (7-7) as National Football Conference East champions with a victory.

The New York Times - Sports

A central question then for urban ecology is to understand which species persist in urban environments and what governs their diversity and composition.

Plosone

After a stimulus screen, a central question mark appeared for 3000 ms and the participants were required to provide their response by pressing with their thumb one of the three keys on a response pad (corresponding to 0, 1, and 2 strings containing two identical consecutive characters, respectively).

Cerebral Cortex

The regulations crafted by the Obama administration intended to answer a central question: Are students who attend for-profit or vocational college programs being adequately set up for careers that will allow them to pay off student debts?

Huffington Post

A central question is to determine, for given g and k, the maximum possible b.

Theoretical Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a central question for", ensure that the question is genuinely fundamental to the topic being discussed. Avoid using it for minor or tangential issues.

Common error

Avoid using "a central question for" when a simpler phrasing like "an important question" or "a key point" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central question for" serves as an introductory phrase to highlight a fundamental inquiry or problem within a given field or context. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely used. It frames the subsequent statement as a core issue to be addressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central question for" is a versatile phrase used to introduce fundamental inquiries across diverse fields. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various writing contexts. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources underscores its suitability for formal and academic discourse. When employing this phrase, ensure that the question truly represents a core issue to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "a key issue for" or "a primary concern for" to fine-tune the emphasis. The phrase is a powerful tool for focusing attention on critical points, so use it judiciously to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key issue for

Replaces "question" with "issue", focusing on a problem or point of debate.

a primary concern for

Substitutes "question" with "concern", highlighting something that causes anxiety or worry.

a main challenge for

Uses "challenge" instead of "question", emphasizing a difficulty to be overcome.

a fundamental problem for

Replaces "question" with "problem", stressing a basic or essential difficulty.

a critical consideration for

Substitutes "question" with "consideration", focusing on something important to think about.

the most important question for

Adds "most important" to emphasize the significance of the question.

a significant inquiry for

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", adding a slightly more formal tone.

a pivotal matter for

Substitutes "question" with "matter", emphasizing its importance in determining an outcome.

a core dilemma for

Replaces "question" with "dilemma", suggesting a situation involving a difficult choice.

the central debate for

Uses "debate" instead of "question", framing the topic as a discussion with differing viewpoints.

FAQs

How can I use "a central question for" in a sentence?

Use "a central question for" to introduce a core inquiry or problem within a particular field or context. For example, "A central question for climate scientists is how to accurately predict future temperature increases."

What are some alternatives to "a central question for"?

You can use alternatives such as "a key issue for", "a primary concern for", or "a main challenge for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a central question for" or "the central question of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a central question for" typically introduces a broad area of inquiry, while "the central question of" suggests a singular, definitive question at the heart of a matter.

What's the difference between "a central question for" and "an important question for"?

"A central question for" implies that the question is fundamental and crucial to the topic, whereas "an important question for" simply suggests that the question is significant but not necessarily foundational.