a main question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the primary or most important question in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In our research, we identified a main question that guided our investigation: How does climate change affect biodiversity?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Three afternoons a week, my 18 students were asked to perform experiments addressing a main question.

University of California, Berkeley

A main question was of his ability to resume what was a potentially stellar career.

The New York Times

Therefore, a main question arising when Westerners consider these objects as art is what sort of criteria are being used to evaluate the art.

The New York Times - Arts

A main question is just what vog consists of, said James W. Morrow, director of environmental health for the lung association.

The New York Times

Specifics are vague, but a main question is whether the plan would enable the government to dictate the prices it pays for medical care.

The New York Times

A main question in drawing a district that would have the potential to elect a Hispanic supervisor was whether actual population data or just the numbers of voting-age citizens should be used.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

A second main question is the identity of the additional targets, besides the FGFR genes, that are affected by the AEC-causing p63 mutations.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Note that the first word in the file is 'matching', followed by an indexed main question and then the indexed subordinate-questions with a matching answer.

WikiHow

LAHORE, Pakistan — For a while, the main question surrounding Maryam Nawaz Sharif was whether she might become Pakistan's first female candidate for prime minister in a generation.

The New York Times

As a consequence the main question jazz had to face after his death was very simple: if your starting point is a scream where do you go from there?

The Guardian - Books

Let me give you, first of all, in the short term a number and a bit of a startage point your main question.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize different aspects of the inquiry, consider alternatives like "a key question" or "a central issue" to refine your focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a main question" repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by employing synonyms such as "a key question" or framing the inquiry as "the central issue" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main question" functions as a noun phrase identifying the primary inquiry or focus of a discussion or analysis. Ludwig shows that this phrase commonly introduces the central point to be addressed. It is a common way to frame the most important issue.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a main question" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to highlight the primary inquiry in a discussion or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and it is particularly prevalent in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse by considering synonyms such as "a key question" or "a central issue". When employing this phrase, ensure it effectively sets the scope and direction for the topic at hand, maintaining clarity and focus. Authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Economist and The Guardian support its frequent and varied use across different domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a central question

Replaces "main" with "central", emphasizing the core aspect of the question.

a key question

Substitutes "main" with "key", highlighting the importance of the question.

a central inquiry

Similar to "a central question" but uses "inquiry" for a more formal tone.

a primary concern

Shifts from a question to a concern, indicating the most important worry or issue.

a pivotal issue

Replaces "question" with "issue", underscoring the critical nature of the matter at hand.

a core issue

Focuses on the central aspect, replacing 'question' with 'issue' and 'main' with 'core'.

a chief concern

Highlights the primary worry, substituting "main" with "chief".

the principal inquiry

Uses more formal language, replacing "main" with "principal" and "question" with "inquiry".

the fundamental problem

Highlights the underlying problem instead of a question, suggesting a deeper issue.

the overriding question

Emphasizes the dominant aspect, using 'overriding' to indicate the question's prominence.

FAQs

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

You can use "a main question" to introduce the primary focus of your discussion, for example, "A main question is whether the proposed policy will effectively address climate change."

What phrases are similar to "a main question"?

Alternatives to "a main question" include "a key question", "a primary concern", or "a central inquiry". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a main question" or "the main question"?

Both "a main question" and "the main question" are grammatically correct. "A main question" implies that there are other significant questions, while "the main question" suggests it is the most important or only question under consideration.

What's the difference between "a main question" and "a key question"?

"A main question" refers to the principal question being addressed. "A key question" emphasizes the importance or criticality of the question. Both phrases are very similar and can often be used interchangeably.