a founding question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a founding question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a fundamental or essential question that serves as the basis for further discussion or exploration on a topic. Example: "In our discussion about democracy, we must first address a founding question: What does it mean to be truly free?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here's the founding question: Can you make a large group of women fall in love with a man they've never met in two months time?

Vice

Their agonising respect for numbers is, she writes, testimony "to their philosophical and moral engagement and not, as many critics of economics assume, the opposite .If the wealth of nations is the founding question of economics, rationality is its signature assumption.

The Economist

From our point of view this is an important contribution as we not only use data extracted from bibliometric source as most collaboration networks are studied, but that the founding question on which the model has been developed is empirically based in the sociology of the case.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

He was a founding member of Asian Dub Foundation.

Independent

However, from the very beginning of the quantum mechanical founding the question of its universality was raised, that is, the question of general validity of the quantum-physical laws for macroscopic phenomena, usually treated by the methods of classical physics.

BioMed Research International

The decision to co-found Question came partly because a certain kind of game-making had permanently altered Thomas' perspectives.

Vice

Larissa Waters, the Queensland Greens senator, interjected: "Why, because he doesn't have three heads?" It was an exchange typical of Monday night's hour-long discussion, which was dominated by Hanson, a Queensland senator-elect for the One Nation party she founded, fielding questions from Islamic audience members.

The Guardian

I co-founded Nouvelles Questions Feministes (New Feminist Issues) with Simone de Beauvoir in 1977 and have long been involved with Mouvement de Libération des Femmes (MLF) but increasingly, it's clear to me that French attitudes towards the hijab and Muslim women are not just incomprehensible, but reprehensible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A founding partner of IMC Magnetics Corp.

The New York Times

It's a founding myth.

The New York Times

(See "Advice From A Founding Father").

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a founding question" when you want to emphasize that the question is not just any question, but one that establishes a base for further discussion or exploration. It suggests a return to first principles.

Common error

Avoid using "a founding question" for every question; reserve it for those inquiries that truly establish a foundation for understanding or action. Using it too frequently dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a founding question" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a fundamental or initial query. It sets the stage for deeper exploration of a topic, implying that addressing this question is crucial for further understanding. As Ludwig reports, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a founding question" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote a fundamental or initial query. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its frequency is currently missing due to the lack of extracted examples in the provided data. It serves to emphasize the importance of a question as a basis for further reasoning, fitting a neutral register. When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for questions that genuinely establish a foundation for understanding, and Ludwig's analysis underscores the importance of context in determining the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A fundamental question

Replaces "founding" with "fundamental", emphasizing the essential nature of the question.

A core question

Uses "core" to indicate the central importance of the question.

An initial question

Focuses on the question being the first one to consider.

A primary question

Highlights the question's main importance.

A basic question

Suggests the question is simple but crucial.

A key question

Emphasizes the question's importance in unlocking further understanding.

The starting point

Shifts from a question to a metaphorical beginning.

The foundational inquiry

Uses a more formal term, "inquiry", instead of "question".

The central issue

Replaces "question" with "issue", broadening the scope.

The underlying problem

Focuses on a problem rather than a question, implying a deeper issue.

FAQs

How to use "a founding question" in a sentence?

Use "a founding question" to introduce a query that establishes a basis for understanding or further discussion. For example, "A founding question in ethics is whether the ends justify the means."

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

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental question", "a core question", or "a primary question", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

"A founding question" implies one of several possible starting points, while "the founding question" suggests a single, definitive initial inquiry. The choice depends on whether you are referring to one specific question or one of many foundational questions.

What's the difference between "a founding question" and "a key question"?

"A founding question" specifically refers to an inquiry that establishes a base or starting point. "A key question", on the other hand, is simply an important question that needs to be addressed, regardless of whether it is foundational.