a genuine question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a genuine question" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a question that is sincere and not meant to be rhetorical or sarcastic. You can use it in any sentence where you want to emphasize the sincerity of a question. Example: "Can I ask you a genuine question? What do you believe is the best way to solve this problem?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is a genuine question.

The Guardian

Is that a genuine question about my sexuality?

The Guardian

My first question, and this is a genuine question, concerns the victims.

The New York Times

But what if we are to treat it as a genuine question?

The New York Times

And it is a genuine question: please enlighten me if you know the answer.

The Economist

And when I ask a question that's a real question, you know a genuine question.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Gethard then conducted a genuine question-and-answer session with his new friend, where Diddy convincingly gave a crowd composed of mostly white twentysomethings advice on show business, creativity, and work ethic.

Huffington Post

Start with a simple, genuine question: "How do you feel?

Harvard Business Review

[See van Fraassen 1997 for defence of this view.] There is a genuine empirical question as to how words get their meaning but this is a problem for the appropriate sciences, not philosophy, to solve.

SEP

But while watching Rogue One, the Star Wars franchise's gritty new semi-reboot-mostly-fanfic, I was struck with a genuine ethical question: why are we so cool with stormtroopers getting murdered for our entertainment?

Vice

A balanced approach is required in which data is made available, to genuine researchers with a genuine research question, once the initial investigators have had an adequate time to publish their main findings.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a genuine question", ensure the context reflects a sincere need for information or clarification, avoiding sarcasm or rhetorical intent.

Common error

Avoid using "a genuine question" when posing rhetorical questions or making statements disguised as questions. This can undermine your credibility and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a genuine question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving to introduce or characterize an inquiry. As Ludwig AI explains, it emphasizes the sincerity and authenticity behind the question. Examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts from news to academic discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a genuine question" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the sincerity and validity of an inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the extensive examples highlight its presence across various reputable sources, including news, science, and business contexts. While alternatives like "a sincere inquiry" or "an honest question" exist, "a genuine question" effectively signals a desire for truthful information and encourages thoughtful responses. To ensure clear communication, avoid overusing the phrase in rhetorical contexts and make sure the context genuinely reflects a need for information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sincere inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "genuine" with "sincere", highlighting the honesty of the question.

an honest question

Substitutes "genuine" with "honest", focusing on the truthfulness of the inquiry.

a real question

Uses "real" instead of "genuine", suggesting the question is authentic and not superficial.

a legitimate question

Replaces "genuine" with "legitimate", indicating the question is valid and appropriate.

a valid question

Similar to "legitimate", suggesting the question is well-founded and relevant.

a serious question

Shifts the focus to the importance and weight of the question.

a heartfelt question

Emphasizes the emotional sincerity behind the question.

a truthful question

Highlights that the question is asked with the intent of receiving a true answer.

an authentic inquiry

Combines "authentic" with "inquiry" to stress the unfeigned nature of the question.

a candid question

Implies the question is straightforward and free from reservation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a genuine question" to introduce a sincere inquiry. For example, "I have "a genuine question" about the project timeline: can we realistically meet the deadline?"

What are some alternatives to saying "a genuine question"?

You can use phrases like "a sincere inquiry", "an honest question", or "a real question" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "a genuine question"? Can't all questions be genuine?

While not strictly redundant, specifying ""a genuine question"" emphasizes the sincerity and lack of ulterior motives behind the inquiry, differentiating it from rhetorical or leading questions.

What's the difference between "a genuine question" and "a legitimate question"?

While both imply validity, ""a genuine question"" emphasizes sincerity and honesty, while "a legitimate question" focuses on the appropriateness and relevance of the inquiry.