a common question is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common question is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a frequently asked question or a topic that many people inquire about. Example: "A common question is how to improve time management skills effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But a common question is how much you should have on hand.

The New York Times

A common question is whether the surrounding molecules or atoms form a cage strong enough to prevent the fragment atoms from flying apart and from leaving the cluster.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As different fellowships notify their successful recipients at different times, a common question is if a student receives the NSF GRFP and must notify the NSF of their acceptance/ declination before hearing from the NDSEG, students should first accept the NSF GRFP.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Back on the dance floor, a common question is "why aren't you dancing" – even if you are.

BBC

Obviously, AMC is now a channel driven almost entirely by The Walking Dead, but with ratings continuing to dip for that show, a common question is asked.

Forbes

A common question is "what is the difference between BPO and out-tasking?" The easiest way to explain it is to look at an organization as an integrated group of business processes that must be managed by someone (Harward 2010).

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Favorable Wide Receiver Matchups Cecil Shorts (JAX) vs. Buffalo Bills – It was not that long ago when a common question being tossed around was, "Is Shorts for real?" We now know that the answer is yes, as Shorts has quickly become a must-start receiver (17th overall in standard scoring).

The New York Times

INDIANAPOLIS — A common question being asked of players on the Giants and the New England Patriots this week is an obvious one: what are the similarities between this season's teams and the ones that played each other four years ago in Super Bowl XLII? "None at all," Jacobs said Wednesday when asked about the similarities to the 2007 squad.

The New York Times

When I was raising my Series A at YouSendIt a common question was "What happens when Google does this?" Any investor who is serious about your business already knows the answer: we all compete with Google and a truly great startup will out-execute any business division of any large company on any day of the week (especially on weekends).

Forbes

As the state recovers, a common question being asked is whether state livestock regulations, particularly regarding facility siting and waste management methods, will be revised to accommodate future flood conditions.

Environmental Health Perspectives

This is not a trivial clarification, because one common question is whether all four STEM disciplines need be integrated for instruction to be considered integrated STEM.

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common question is", ensure that the question you introduce is genuinely one that many people ask, rather than a niche or uncommon query.

Common error

Avoid framing a highly specialized query as "a common question is". Tailor your language to the audience and ensure the question reflects a broad concern or interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common question is" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals the presentation of a question that is asked frequently or is widely considered. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a common question is" effectively introduces frequently asked questions across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. While maintaining a neutral tone, it signals the relevance of the ensuing question to a wide audience. Related phrases include "a frequently asked question is" and "a typical question is". It's important to verify that the question is genuinely common to avoid misidentifying the audience. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Forbes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

One common question is

Adds "one" to emphasize that it's one among possibly other common questions.

A frequently asked question is

Replaces "common" with "frequently asked", emphasizing the repeated nature of the question.

A typical question is

Substitutes "common" with "typical", indicating that the question is representative.

A recurring question is

Replaces "common" with "recurring", highlighting that the question appears repeatedly.

A usual inquiry is

Uses "inquiry" instead of "question", suggesting a more formal tone and replaces "common" with "usual".

A prevalent question is

Substitutes "common" with "prevalent", suggesting widespread occurrence of the question.

A frequent query is

Swaps "question" for "query", denoting a search or request for information.

A general question is

Uses "general" instead of "common", indicating that the question is broad and applicable in many situations.

The main question is

Shifts the focus to the primary or most important question.

What people often ask is

Rephrases to focus on the act of asking by people in general.

FAQs

How do I use "a common question is" in a sentence?

Use "a common question is" to introduce a question that is frequently asked or considered. For example, "A common question is, 'How can I improve my writing skills?'"

What can I say instead of "a common question is"?

You can use alternatives like "a frequently asked question is", "a typical question is", or "a general question is" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a common question is" or "the common question is"?

"A common question is" is generally used to introduce one of many frequently asked questions. "The common question is" implies there is only one question that is commonly asked.

What's the difference between "a common question is" and "the question is"?

"A common question is" suggests the question is frequently asked, while "the question is" simply introduces a question without implying its frequency.