a great question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge the quality or thoughtfulness of a question posed by someone. Example: "Thank you for your input during the meeting; that was a great question about our project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A: Great question.

TechCrunch

A great question".

The New Yorker

What a great question!

The New York Times - Science

It was a great question!

The New Yorker

"That's a great question, though.

The New Yorker

"That is a great question.

The New Yorker

Wilson: A great question.

The Washington Post

"That's a great question," Wright said.

The New York Times - Sports

JEFFREY TOOBIN: What a great question.

The New Yorker

DEXTER FILKINS: Flip: A great question.

The New Yorker

BEN MCGRATH: It's a great question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great question" to acknowledge a question that demonstrates insight, thoughtfulness, or relevance. It's a positive way to encourage engagement and show appreciation for the questioner's contribution.

Common error

While "a great question" is positive, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your responses with alternatives like "an insightful point" or "a pertinent inquiry" to maintain audience engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great question" serves primarily as an acknowledgment and positive reinforcement of a question posed. It indicates that the question is valuable, insightful, or important, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great question" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for acknowledging and praising a question. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and business settings. While it's a valuable phrase, remember to use it judiciously to maintain sincerity. Consider alternatives such as "that's an excellent question" or "that's a very insightful question" to add variety to your responses and prevent overuse. Be aware of the context and adjust your language accordingly to convey genuine appreciation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's an excellent question

Replaces "great" with "excellent", indicating a high degree of quality.

that's a wonderful question

Substitutes "great" with "wonderful", conveying delight and admiration.

that's a remarkable question

Replaces "great" with "remarkable", emphasizing the question's exceptional nature.

that's a very insightful question

Highlights the depth and perceptiveness of the question.

that's a thoughtful question

Emphasizes the considerate and reflective nature of the question.

that's a pertinent question

Indicates the relevance and importance of the question.

that's a well-asked question

Focuses on the quality and manner in which the question was posed.

it's a very good point

Shifts focus from the question itself to the underlying idea or point being raised.

i appreciate that question

Expresses direct gratitude for the question asked.

that's something to consider

Acknowledges the question's importance and the need for further reflection.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great question" to acknowledge the quality of a question, for example, "That's a great question, and I'm glad you asked it." or "That's a great question! Let me elaborate further."

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

You can use alternatives like "that's an excellent question", "that's a wonderful question", or "that's a very insightful question" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to say "a great question"?

While generally positive, using "a great question" for every question, even simple ones, can sound insincere. Reserve it for questions that genuinely demonstrate thought or insight.

What's the difference between "a great question" and "an interesting question"?

"A great question" typically implies the question is insightful, relevant, or well-formulated. "An interesting question" simply means the question sparks curiosity or intrigue, without necessarily implying high quality.