a key question is

USAGE SUMMARY

"a key question is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you are introducing a question that is important or central to a topic. For example: A key question is whether introducing a new law to protect endangered species would be effective in its implementation.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A key question William confronts is how we acquire concepts and knowledge in the present life.

SEP

The advent of APU-powered devices addresses a key question Dvorak asked in MarketWatch, "What do we wait for to reignite [PC] buying?" I believe the answer may well be found in the vivid computing that APUs will enable, delivering the visually compelling, immersive, interactive experiences PC users want in offices, homes, or going mobile.

Forbes

In our single retained article for this key question, Mendoza provided an accessible account of how medical missions arise to redress market failures for essential medical services.

BMC Health Services Research

That is the key question Edward Snowden and company now put before us: what principles are being violated or upheld by the government's actions?

The Guardian - Opinion

The key question, Guendelman says, is whether the matter necessary to construct the wormhole exists.

Science Magazine

A key question as Santos headed to Washington was whether he would be joined there by former presidents Alvaro Uribe and Andrés Pastrana, who laid the groundwork for ending the conflict but have accused Santos of going too easy on the Farc.

The Guardian

A key question, noted Albertini, is "is it relevant to the process of reproduction?" Related site Society for the Study of Reproduction.

Science Magazine

"How long it takes systems managers to get their [directory] stuff deployed and working, so Novell can get their check, is a key question," says Pyykkonen.

Forbes

In categorizing people, researchers say, the brain is looking for fast answers to a few key questions: Friend or foe?

The New York Times

A key question facing the Obama administration will be the reaction of the Chinese government if Mr. Chen insists on leaving China.

The New York Times

The apartment swap Monica and Rachel are forced to swap apartments with Joey and Chandler after losing a quiz over a key question about what Chandler's job is.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a key question is" to introduce a fundamental inquiry that needs to be addressed to understand a topic fully.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive paragraphs with "a key question is". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key question is" functions as an introductory phrase, typically used to highlight a central or important question within a discussion or analysis. It sets the stage for addressing a specific inquiry.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key question is" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a significant question. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. Although no examples are currently available, it serves as a useful introductory phrase to highlight the importance of an inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary question is

Replaces "key" with "primary", indicating a main question.

a core question is

Substitutes "key" with "core", emphasizing the central nature of the question.

a central question is

Replaces "key" with "central", highlighting the question's importance.

an essential question is

Substitutes "key" with "essential", stressing the necessity of the question.

a crucial question is

Replaces "key" with "crucial", indicating a critical question.

a fundamental question is

Substitutes "key" with "fundamental", emphasizing the basic nature of the question.

a critical issue is

Shifts from "question" to "issue", focusing on a problem or point of debate.

a pivotal question is

Substitutes "key" with "pivotal", which means the question is critical because other things depend on it

a main question is

Replaces "key" with "main", simply meaning the most important question.

a significant question is

Replaces "key" with "significant", indicating a notable question.

FAQs

How to use "a key question is" in a sentence?

Use "a key question is" to introduce an important question related to the topic being discussed. For example, "A key question is whether the new policy will effectively reduce pollution levels."

What can I say instead of "a key question is"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary question is", "a core question is", or "a central question is" depending on the context.

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

Both "a key question is" and "the key question is" are grammatically correct. "A key question is" is used when introducing one of several important questions, while "the key question is" indicates the single most important question.

What's the difference between "a key question is" and "a crucial issue is"?

"A key question is" introduces an inquiry, while "a crucial issue is" highlights a significant problem or point of debate that needs to be addressed. While related, one focuses on inquiry and the other on a problem.