a one-off question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a one-off question' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a one-time question or inquiry that is not meant to be repeated. For example, "The interviewer asked a one-off question about my ability to work in a team environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The latest Newspoll also included a one-off question about whether the Liberal party did the right thing to replace Abbott with Turnbull.

The Guardian

Students on either side of the fellows program assist each other by learning new skills and strategies that not only help them with a one-off question, but become strengths they will have throughout their lives.

Harvard University

Alas, it turns out that a tiebreaker is simply a one-off question, the winner being the first to buzz in with the correct answer.

Huffington Post

Most likely, though, if climate change gets billing in the debate, it will be in the form of a one-off question simply asking the candidates whether it's "real," rather than an opportunity to propose a detailed policy discussion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

After a year of trying to make the ridiculously flawed system work, the company abandoned the chat sessions in favor of one-off question and answers, primarily targeting users through a mobile service.

TechCrunch

Quizzes can be designed, using a "teacher" app, on any mobile device — either as one-off questions or as a series of true-or-false, multiple-choice, or open-ended questions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

EH: Why I stayed [in the Communist Party] is not a political question about communism, it's a one-off biographical question.

The Guardian - Books

Note: These are not one-off questions sent to my advocacy site.

Forbes

Only ODW, which was a one-off, asked questions about all seven types of cybercrime.

Crime Science

Mr Kothari questions the rationale behind spending so much money on a one-off sporting event.

BBC

"When they say it's certainly a one-off, it's an appropriate question to say, 'How do you know that; was this based on real briefings?' " said John Dinges, a professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a one-off question", ensure the context clearly indicates that the question is not part of a series or a recurring inquiry. This clarifies its singular and isolated nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a one-off question" excessively in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound informal. Consider more precise alternatives like "an isolated inquiry" or "a singular question" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one-off question" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as an adjective modifying the noun "question". It indicates that the question is singular and not part of a series or recurring pattern. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a one-off question" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a singular, isolated inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, it appears mostly in news and media contexts. For more formal or academic settings, alternatives like "a unique question" or "an isolated question" might be more appropriate. When using the phrase, make sure the context clearly indicates its singular nature to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a one-time question

This option focuses on the non-recurring nature of the question.

a standalone question

This phrase indicates that the question is self-contained and does not rely on prior context.

a single question

This alternative is a more straightforward way to express the idea of a unique inquiry.

an individual question

This alternative underlines the question is independent and stands alone.

an isolated question

This phrase emphasizes the distinct and separate nature of the inquiry.

a solitary question

This suggests that the question is not part of a larger set of inquiries.

a unique question

This alternative highlights the originality and distinctiveness of the question.

a discrete question

This option stresses that the question is separate and distinct from others.

a special question

It focuses in the significance of the specific instance and it is particularly tailored for the situation.

a custom question

The alternative emphasis lies in specifying that the question is specifically tailored and not standardized.

FAQs

How can I use "a one-off question" in a sentence?

You can use "a one-off question" to describe a single, isolated inquiry. For example, "The survey included "a one-off question" about customer satisfaction with our new product line".

What's a more formal alternative to "a one-off question"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a singular question" or "an isolated question" for a more professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "a one-off question" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a one-off question" might be perceived as slightly informal for academic writing. Depending on the context, using "a unique question" or "a specific question" could be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a one-off question" and "a follow-up question"?

"A one-off question" refers to a single, isolated inquiry that is not part of a series. In contrast, a "follow-up question" is asked as a direct response or clarification to a previous question.