a dire question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dire question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is urgent, serious, or critical in nature. Example: "In light of recent events, we must address a dire question: how do we ensure the safety of our community?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the rain has poured down on the East Coast over the past week, softening the fairways and greens at Merion, players, golf traditionalists, and casual observers alike have been raising a dire question: Could the bombers who dominate the P.G.A. Tour these days obliterate the historic course, which opened in 1910 and holds a prominent place in golfing folklore?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The lunch crowd included Julie Taymor whose play Grounded, a one-woman tour de force starring Anne Hathaway at the Public Theater last year, dealt with this dire question in another way, limning the decision making of women, thought too soft under these circumstances.

Huffington Post

The dire question that seems to be rising is this one: How many more crowds can McCain whip up this way and not expect to stumble on the loaded chamber?

Huffington Post

Both more absurd than its predecessor and more serious in intent, "Vacant Possession" is a dark novel that poses dire questions about the nature of identity and interdependence.

The New York Times - Books

The fact that bin Laden was found in a compound in a wealthy retirement community populated in large part by former Pakistani military officers raises dire questions about the relationship of the Pakistani army and its intelligence community to radical Islamic terrorists.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet The fact that bin Laden was found in a compound in a wealthy retirement community populated in large part by former Pakistani military officers raises dire questions about the relationship of the Pakistani army and its intelligence community to radical Islamic terrorists.

The New Yorker

"My reality" raises even more far-reaching and dire questions about the state of our culture, one in which the very concept of "reality" seems to be in danger.

The New York Times

Mr. Kelley said: "We need to do what we can to protect the privacy of the jurors, to ensure their response to voir dire questions will be candid and won't be impeded by the fear that private or personal information will be released".

The New York Times

The International Publishers Association has expressed its "deep concern" about the situation, with president Richard Charkin urging the Chinese authorities "to assist in locating them and allowing for their safe return home", adding: "These disappearances immediately raise dire questions about the Chinese government's commitment to freedom to publish".

The Guardian - Books

As the overall economy improves and the employment situation grows a little less dire, the question becomes whether real estate can muddle through — or if it will need a new round of government support to ward off another damaging downturn.

The New York Times

That was because of a dire assessment by its auditors, KPMG, that the airline's future was in question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dire question" to emphasize the critical and urgent nature of the issue being questioned. This phrase is suitable for formal contexts where you want to convey a sense of alarm or high stakes.

Common error

Avoid using "a dire question" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase's serious tone may sound overly dramatic or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dire question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dire" modifies the noun "question". It emphasizes the severity and urgency of the question being posed, drawing attention to its potentially significant consequences. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dire question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the urgency and severity of a question. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct and usable in written English, particularly in formal contexts like news and media. While relatively rare, its impact lies in conveying a sense of crisis or high stakes. When using this phrase, be mindful of the tone to avoid sounding overly dramatic in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "a critical question" or "an urgent question" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical question

Replaces "dire" with "critical", emphasizing the importance and decisiveness of the question.

an urgent question

Substitutes "dire" with "urgent", highlighting the time-sensitive nature of the question.

a pressing question

Uses "pressing" instead of "dire", focusing on the immediate need to address the question.

a serious question

Replaces "dire" with "serious", underscoring the gravity and significance of the question.

a grave question

Substitutes "dire" with "grave", emphasizing the potential for severe consequences.

a crucial question

Uses "crucial" instead of "dire", focusing on the pivotal importance of the question.

an alarming question

Replaces "dire" with "alarming", highlighting the cause for concern associated with the question.

a worrying question

Substitutes "dire" with "worrying", focusing on the anxiety and unease the question provokes.

a burning question

Uses "burning" instead of "dire", emphasizing the urgent and compelling nature of the question.

a significant question

Replaces "dire" with "significant", underscoring the importance and impact of the question.

FAQs

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

Use "a dire question" when you want to emphasize the critical and urgent nature of a question. For example, "Faced with increasing environmental damage, we must confront "a dire question": how can we protect our planet for future generations?"

What can I say instead of "a dire question"?

You can use alternatives like "a critical question", "an urgent question", or "a pressing question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The phrase "a dire question" is most appropriate in formal writing or speech when addressing a problem or issue of significant urgency and severity. It is less suitable for casual conversation or lighthearted topics.

What's the difference between "a dire question" and "a serious question"?

"A dire question" implies a sense of extreme urgency and potentially catastrophic consequences, while "a serious question" simply indicates that the issue is important and deserves careful consideration. "Dire" carries a stronger emotional weight than "serious".