a long-standing question

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'a long-standing question' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a question that has remained unresolved for a long period of time. For example: The viability of nuclear power has been a long-standing question for decades.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This answers a long-standing question in the theory.

Journal of Functional Analysis

The natural origin of homochirality is a long-standing question.

Nature

How the first axis is initiated in the early embryo is a long-standing question.

Developmental Biology

A long-standing question in Earth Sciences is related to the importance of inheritance in controlling tectonic processes.

Gondwana Research

However, there has been a long-standing question on whether interface-affected-zone (IAZ) exists, and how it might behave.

Materials Today

How zygotic gene products instruct the degradation of maternal messages remains a long-standing question in biology.

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development

The search for physical correlates of memory, the memory engram, has been a long-standing question in modern neurobiology.

Learning and Memory: A Comprehensive Reference

With Halak, the Islanders answered a long-standing question between the pipes.

The Guardian - Sport

A long-standing question is whether "reptile scale" and "avian leg scales" are of the same origin.

Nature

It has been a long-standing question of how cell wall biomolecules interact to form the polymer network.

Nature

He wondered if adapting to low temperatures meant organisms would fare worse at higher ones, a long-standing question.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long-standing question", ensure that the context clearly establishes the duration or history of the issue being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "a long-standing question" for issues that are relatively new or have only recently gained attention. The phrase implies a history of discussion or debate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long-standing question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies a query or problem that has persisted over time. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a long-standing question" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe inquiries or issues that have persisted over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in academic, scientific, and news contexts to introduce problems that have a history of debate or consideration. While alternatives like "an age-old question" or "a perennial question" exist, "a long-standing question" is a reliable and effective way to highlight the duration and significance of a particular issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an age-old question

Replaces 'long-standing' with 'age-old', emphasizing the antiquity of the question.

a perennial question

Uses 'perennial' to highlight the recurring nature of the question.

an enduring question

Substitutes 'long-standing' with 'enduring', focusing on the lasting quality of the question.

a persistent question

Replaces 'long-standing' with 'persistent', stressing the continuous nature of the question.

a recurring question

Emphasizes the repeated appearance of the question.

an unresolved question

Focuses on the lack of a solution rather than the duration.

an unanswered question

Highlights that the question has not yet received a satisfactory response.

a classic question

Implies that the question is well-known and frequently discussed.

a traditional question

Suggests that the question has been asked for a considerable period.

a historical question

Highlights the historical significance and duration of the question.

FAQs

How can I use "a long-standing question" in a sentence?

Use "a long-standing question" to refer to an inquiry that has persisted over time and has been a subject of debate or consideration. For instance, "The origin of life is "a long-standing question" in science."

What can I say instead of "a long-standing question"?

You can use alternatives like "an age-old question", "a perennial question", or "an enduring question" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a long-standing question" in formal writing?

Yes, "a long-standing question" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic or professional contexts where historical perspective is important.

What's the difference between "a long-standing question" and "an open question"?

"A long-standing question" emphasizes the duration of the inquiry, while "an open question" focuses on the lack of a definitive answer, regardless of how long the question has been around.