a convoluted question

USAGE SUMMARY

'a convoluted question' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a complex or difficult question. For example, "My boss asked me a convoluted question about our company policy that took me nearly an hour to answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Giving Counsel When a Nepalese radio reporter asked him a convoluted question on Friday about the roots of the Maoist violence, and whether Nepal might "greatly need some wonderful and good package programs towards alleviation of poverty and the creating plenty of job opportunities," Secretary Powell replied simply, "Yes".

The New York Times

Besides, according to our count, there are at least 10 worse things than flubbing a convoluted question posed by Nene. 2. Giuliana's smug look: Image courtesy of Getty.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I'm just a simple American — I just can't follow this stuff," he once scolded a reporter who asked an admittedly convoluted question.

The New York Times

"That's a very convoluted question," Mr. McCall said.

The New York Times

And finally... yes, that match did receive a mention at the tennis and caused a little confusion when Venus Williams, who played in Istanbul last week, found herself fielding a somewhat convoluted question.

The Guardian - Sport

But European officials and most of Greece's opposition parties painted the referendum as one of whether the country kept using the euro currency — even though that was not the convoluted question asked on the ballot.

Los Angeles Times

The consequence of this bid for impartiality, which began with the drawing of lots to decide the podium order, is a convoluted looking question-and-answer grid.

The Guardian

IN A referendum on July 18th, more Bolivian voters answered yes than no to five convoluted questions which, taken together, empower the government to exert greater control over the export and sale of the country's vast oil and gas wealth.

The Economist

Specter would ask these long, convoluted questions, and Bork would give these long, convoluted answers".

The New York Times

One sign of that is the referendum's convoluted questions (see table).

The Economist

Like the best Bass Connections projects, this experience has presented the team with convoluted questions, competing interests, ambiguous findings, and imperfect processes.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a convoluted question", ensure that the context makes it clear why the question is considered complex or confusing. Provide enough information for the reader to understand the nature of the convolution.

Common error

Avoid using "a convoluted question" simply to sound sophisticated. If a question is merely complex but straightforward, a simpler term like "complex" or "difficult" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a convoluted question" functions as a noun phrase, where "convoluted" modifies the noun "question". It describes a question that is complex, intricate, and difficult to understand. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a convoluted question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a complex and confusing inquiry. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is best used when the question is not only complex but also difficult to follow. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting its utility in describing real-world situations where questions can be deliberately or unintentionally complex. While synonyms like "complex query" and "intricate inquiry" exist, "a convoluted question" carries a stronger sense of entanglement and potential confusion. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the reasons for the question's convoluted nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complex query

Replaces "convoluted" with a more common synonym, "complex".

a tangled question

Uses a metaphor to describe the question as being difficult to unravel.

an intricate inquiry

Emphasizes the detailed and complicated nature of the question.

a perplexing question

Focuses on the confusing and puzzling aspect of the question.

a labyrinthine question

Draws a parallel to a maze, highlighting the question's complexity and potential to mislead.

a difficult question to understand

Explicitly states the challenge in comprehending the question.

a muddled question

Indicates the question is unclear and disorganized.

a question phrased in a confusing manner

Highlights the poor phrasing as the source of the complexity.

an involved question

Suggests the question has many parts and requires significant analysis.

an abstruse question

Implies the question is obscure and difficult to grasp.

FAQs

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

You can use "a convoluted question" to describe a complex or confusing inquiry. For example, "The politician skillfully dodged "a convoluted question" about the new economic policy".

What is a good synonym for "a convoluted question"?

Alternatives to "a convoluted question" include "a complex query", "a tangled question", or "an intricate inquiry".

Is it better to ask "a convoluted question" or "a complex question"?

While both are acceptable, "a convoluted question" suggests a higher degree of complexity and potential confusion than "a complex question". Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual nature of the inquiry.

When is it appropriate to describe a question as "convoluted"?

Use "convoluted" when the question is not only complex but also difficult to follow due to its structure, wording, or embedded assumptions.