a constant question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a constant question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is frequently asked or always relevant in a particular context. Example: "In discussions about climate change, the impact of human activity remains a constant question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Everyday, it's a constant question.

The Washington Post

"Just what does Harry Hopkins Do?" is a constant question in Washington.

The New Yorker

But if you go on Twitter, it's a constant question: Do you have a ponytail?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Emily used to always say: 'How much longer, how much longer, how much longer?' That was a constant question.

The Guardian

For architects, Mr. Nicolow said, there is a constant question of whether to take a bad project and try to make it better.

The New York Times

Sofia, Bulgaria — DURING the recent electoral campaign in Poland, a constant question raised by pundits and politicians was not whether the country would go right, but whether it would go wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A city that has stereotypes by the dozens, a city whose own city-ness is in constant question, a city that often times holds up to those bleach blonde stereotypes (even though let's be honest none of those people are actually FROM Los Angeles).

Huffington Post

It's about his own struggles, but also a riff on the constant question for America: should it intervene?

The Guardian - Books

Wendy Freedman, his boss as director of Carnegie as well as a rival in the Hubble constant question, referred to him on Tuesday as the last giant of 20th-century observational cosmology.

The New York Times - Science

A constant, crucial question about social media is whether they produce measurable results.

The New York Times

The point is that change is a constant; the question is how far ahead or behind are your sales and marketing efforts?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a constant question", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the question recurring or persistent. For instance, specify the situation or field where the question frequently arises to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a constant question" if the question's recurrence isn't evident or relevant to the discussion. Overusing the term without proper context can weaken your writing and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a constant question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it describes a query that is frequently raised or consistently relevant within a given context. It identifies something as being characterized by its recurring nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a constant question" is a noun phrase used to describe a query that is frequently asked or remains consistently relevant. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to emphasize the recurring nature of an inquiry. While grammatically sound, it's important to provide context to clarify what makes the question 'constant'. Alternatives such as "a recurring question" or "an ongoing question" may be used depending on the specific nuance desired. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, fitting well in analytical discussions and reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recurring query

Replaces "question" with "query" and "constant" with "recurring", both emphasizing the repetitive nature of the inquiry.

a perpetual inquiry

Substitutes "constant" with "perpetual" to highlight the ongoing and seemingly endless aspect of the question.

an ongoing question

Uses "ongoing" in place of "constant" to convey that the question is continuously present and relevant.

a frequently asked question

More explicitly states that the question is asked often, emphasizing its common occurrence.

a persistent question

Replaces "constant" with "persistent" to underline the enduring nature of the question.

an ever-present question

Emphasizes that the question is always there, using "ever-present" as a substitute for "constant".

a continuous question

Uses "continuous" to convey the uninterrupted nature of the questioning.

a regular question

Highlights the question's repeated appearance at predictable or standard intervals.

a nagging question

Suggests that the question is not only constant but also somewhat bothersome or unresolved.

a prevailing question

Indicates that the question is dominant or widespread, implying importance and commonality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a constant question" to describe something people frequently ask or something that is always relevant in a particular context. For example, "The feasibility of the project was "a constant question" during the planning phase".

What phrases are similar to "a constant question"?

Alternatives include "a recurring question", "a persistent question", or "an ongoing question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "constant question" or "recurring question"?

Both "constant question" and "recurring question" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Constant" emphasizes continuousness, while "recurring" emphasizes repetition. Choose the one that best fits the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a constant question"?

Use "a constant question" when you want to highlight that an inquiry or issue is frequently brought up, consistently relevant, or remains unresolved over a period of time.