a penetrating question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a penetrating question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a question that is insightful, thought-provoking, or deeply probing into a subject. Example: "During the discussion, she asked a penetrating question that made everyone reconsider their assumptions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In an enduring way, however, he framed a penetrating question about Miller's masterpiece, which has echoed from the 1949 debut to the celebrated revival now on Broadway.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

When I give this lecture on the Princeton campus, I usually receive a few penetrating questions.

The New York Times

They looked our daughters up and down, asked a few penetrating questions ("Can you swim?") and packed them into wet suits for their first half-hour lesson.

The New York Times - Travel

One night, Kimmel, who has interviewed his share of reality-TV celebs (he asked the guy from "Joe Millionaire" the penetrating question "Have you had a chance to take a vacation or anything?"), referred to the packed lineup of reality shows that had aired that evening as "the Christmas morning of TV crap".

The New Yorker

And so it goes, one ostentatiously penetrating question and "No, silly" reassurance after the next, till you feel like you could almost eat McDonald's again.

The New Yorker

Finally, she stops guffawing she asks me her most penetrating question: "Go on then, what's the best car?" I'm not sure how to respond.

The Guardian - Tech

He often sat in the front row at ORNL division information meetings and he would ask the first, often very penetrating, question after each scientific talk.

Wikipedia

The key is to have a list of penetrating questions and to ask them in a probing way.

Science Magazine

Worst moment The display of journalism put on by the collective press of the Commonwealth, who welcomed Usain Bolt to the Games with a series of penetrating questions about the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Scottish referendum, whether he would be willing to wear a kilt, and if he would please pose for some photos because "we are fans, not journalists".

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, they were listening to a university-level lecture and asking penetrating questions about the creation of a slave society.

The New York Times - Travel

At the same time, you want candidates to ask their own penetrating questions in an interview or other evaluation setting.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a penetrating question" to describe inquiries that go beyond surface-level understanding and delve into deeper, more complex issues. This phrase adds a sense of intellectual rigor and thoroughness to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a penetrating question" in casual conversations or informal writing. This phrase is better suited for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts where a high level of intellectual inquiry is expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a penetrating question" functions as a noun phrase, where "penetrating" modifies "question", indicating a quality of the question itself. It suggests the question is insightful and insightful, designed to delve deeply into a subject. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a penetrating question" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon phrase used to describe a question that is insightful and probing. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to introduce an inquiry that aims to uncover deeper understanding, most often used in News & Media contexts. While the phrase is correct, it is more appropriate for formal or professional settings. Consider related phrases such as "probing question" or "incisive question" for similar meanings. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and usability of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a probing question

Replaces "penetrating" with "probing", which has a similar meaning of deeply investigating.

a sharp question

Uses "sharp" to convey the question's directness and intelligence.

an incisive question

Uses "incisive" to describe a question that is sharp and clear in its analysis.

an insightful inquiry

Substitutes "penetrating" with "insightful" and "question" with the more formal "inquiry".

a deeply insightful question

Emphasizes the depth of insight provided by the question.

an astute question

Suggests the question demonstrates keen awareness and intelligence.

a thought-provoking question

Focuses on the effect of the question, emphasizing that it stimulates thought.

a clever question

Highlights the ingenuity and intelligence behind the question.

a revealing question

Emphasizes the question's ability to uncover hidden aspects or truths.

a telling question

Implies that the question reveals important information or insights.

FAQs

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

You can use "a penetrating question" to describe an inquiry that reveals something important or prompts deeper thought. For example: "She asked "a penetrating question" that changed the course of the discussion."

What's a synonym for "a penetrating question"?

Alternatives to "a penetrating question" include "a probing question", "an incisive question", or "a thought-provoking question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a penetrating question" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a penetrating question" is generally more appropriate for formal or professional settings. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives might be more suitable.

What makes a question "penetrating"?

A "penetrating" question is one that is insightful, incisive, and goes beyond the surface to explore deeper issues or underlying assumptions. It often reveals something new or prompts a significant shift in understanding.