a pending question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pending question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a question that has yet to be answered or addressed. For example, "The auditor had several pending questions regarding the company's financial statements."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The origin of the β transition in poly vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is still a pending question.

Polymer

A pending question is the status of the preterm fetus born before 26 wk (<700 g) who has closed eyes and seems constantly asleep.

Nature

Apparently Carter-Ruck was trying to keep the issue from surfacing publicly and had obtained a court injunction barring coverage of a pending question that was being raised on the matter by a Member of Parliament.

Huffington Post

However, it is still a pending question about their inner harmonious relationships between immune cells and cancer cells.

BioMed Research International

Furthermore, a pending question for a long time regarding the dimensionality of crystal diffraction moiré fringes has been settled.

Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and Advances

A pending question is whether the establishment of the Oct4-TN initiates during oogenesis or after fertilisation.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

There has been very little speculation about his State of the Union message or about White House attitudes on any pending questions.

The New Yorker

The purpose of the motion for the previous question is to close debate peremptorily and bring the assembly to an immediate vote on the pending question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Extend Debate: Applies only to the immediately pending question; extends for a specific period of time.

Columbia University

A study by Adam et al. answered the pending question whether perioperative chemotherapy is really beneficial in patients developing solitary metastases.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

Because, beyond the heavy consequences of stopping negotiations and going to a referendum, beyond the dangers that are now evident to all, the pending question which we have to answer cancels out the reason to have the referendum: democratic authenticity.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pending question", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for answering or resolving the question. This adds clarity and directs the reader's focus.

Common error

Avoid using "impending question" instead of "pending question". "Impending" refers to something about to happen, usually negative. "Pending" refers to something awaiting resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pending question" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a question that remains unresolved or unanswered at a specific point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pending question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that denotes an unresolved or unanswered question. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its usage is most common in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, it is appropriate across a variety of situations where issues require further attention or resolution. When using the phrase, consider the context and whether alternatives like "an unanswered question" or "an outstanding question" might be more suitable. Always clarify who is responsible for addressing the "pending question" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unanswered question

Directly highlights the lack of an answer, simplifying the phrasing.

an open question

Highlights the lack of a definitive or agreed-upon answer.

a question yet to be answered

Emphasizes the future aspect of the question being addressed.

an unresolved query

Replaces "pending" with "unresolved", emphasizing the lack of resolution rather than the anticipation of a future answer.

an outstanding question

Indicates the question is prominent and requires attention.

a question awaiting resolution

Emphasizes that the question is in a state of expectation of an answer or solution.

a lingering question

Suggests the question persists and remains relevant over time.

a question under consideration

Focuses on the active process of evaluating the question.

a matter still in question

Shifts the focus to the issue itself being uncertain.

a topic for future research

Frames the question as requiring further investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pending question" to refer to an issue that has not yet been resolved or answered. For example, "The committee addressed "an unresolved query" before moving on to new business."

What are some alternatives to saying "a pending question"?

Alternatives include "an unanswered question", "an outstanding question", or "a lingering question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a pending question" or "an open question"?

Both phrases are valid, but they have slightly different meanings. "A pending question" suggests the expectation of a future answer or resolution, while "an open question" implies that there may not be a definitive answer.

What is the difference between "a pending question" and "a question under consideration"?

"A pending question" simply means the question has not yet been answered. "A question under consideration" indicates that active thought or discussion is being given to the question, suggesting that someone is actively trying to find the answer. It is not "a matter still in question".