a legitimate question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a question that is valid, reasonable, or justifiable in a given context. Example: "While some may disagree, I believe that asking about the project's budget is a legitimate question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A legitimate question.

The New York Times - Travel

That's a legitimate question.

The New York Times

"It's a legitimate question".

The New York Times

It is a legitimate question.

The New York Times

This is a legitimate question.

The New York Times

This discussion raises a legitimate question, however.

The New York Times

Now this is a legitimate question.

The New York Times

"I think that's a legitimate question.

The New York Times

I think it's a legitimate question.

The Guardian

He said this is a legitimate question.

The New York Times

But there is a legitimate question here about sanity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a legitimate question" to acknowledge that an inquiry is reasonable and deserves consideration, especially when addressing potentially controversial or challenging topics. For example: "Given the company's recent losses, whether we should downsize the team is "a legitimate question".

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate question" in extremely casual settings or when the question's validity is self-evident. Overuse can make your communication sound overly formal or even condescending. Instead, opt for simpler phrasing like "that's a good question" or address the question directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate question" functions as an acknowledgment of the validity and relevance of an inquiry. It often prefaces a discussion or response to a question that warrants serious consideration. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate question" is a phrase used to acknowledge the validity and relevance of an inquiry, commonly found in news, scientific and professional contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Semantically similar alternatives include "a valid question" and "a justifiable question". When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for situations where the question's validity is genuinely in question, avoiding overuse in overly casual conversation to maintain clarity and conciseness. Whether to use it in some situations or not can be considered "a legitimate question".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid question

Replaces "legitimate" with "valid", suggesting the question is sound and well-founded.

a justifiable question

Uses "justifiable" instead of "legitimate", highlighting the question's defensibility or reasonableness.

a reasonable question

Employs "reasonable" as a substitute, indicating the question is fair and logical.

a fair question

Substitutes "legitimate" with "fair", implying the question is equitable and impartial.

a warranted question

Uses "warranted", suggesting the question is justified or deserved based on the circumstances.

a well-founded question

Replaces "legitimate" with "well-founded", emphasizing that the question has a solid basis.

an appropriate question

Substitutes "legitimate" with "appropriate", indicating the question is suitable and fitting for the context.

a pertinent question

Uses "pertinent" instead of "legitimate", highlighting the question's relevance to the matter at hand.

a relevant question

Employs "relevant" as a substitute, suggesting the question is connected and important to the topic.

a defensible question

Substitutes "legitimate" with "defensible", implying the question can be justified or supported with reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a legitimate question" to introduce or acknowledge an inquiry that is reasonable and deserves consideration. For instance, "Whether the new policy will actually improve employee morale is "a legitimate question" that management needs to address".

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

You can use alternatives like "a valid question", "a justifiable question", or "a reasonable question" depending on the context.

Is "a legitimate question" formal or informal?

"A legitimate question" is generally considered neutral to formal. While appropriate for professional and academic settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal conversation.

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

"A legitimate question" implies the question is valid and worthy of consideration, whereas "a good question" simply acknowledges the question's merit, often based on its insightfulness or relevance. "A legitimate question" focuses more on the inherent validity, whereas "a good question" emphasizes the value of the inquiry.