a perplexing question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perplexing question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is confusing or difficult to understand. Example: "The scientist posed a perplexing question that left the audience deep in thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

But it raises a perplexing question, too.

The New York Times

He grappled with a perplexing question: Where was the book?

The New York Times

It remains a perplexing question for Japanese society.

The New York Times

That raises a perplexing question: what are we going to do with all those former coal plants?

MIT Technology Review

And that gray area may help answer a perplexing question: Why didn't WorldCom's chief executive sell before the stock collapsed?

The New York Times

"This is a perplexing question and comes up for me every single day with patients," said Woo, who holds the Norman E. Shumway Professorship.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

My dear friend, we are engaged in a very difficult speculation-there can be no doubt of that; for how a thing can appear and seem, and not be, or how a man can say a thing which is not true, has always been and still remains a very perplexing question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The 1929 edition of "Walker on Patents," the standard patent textbook, stated, "What constitutes invention is a very perplexing question".

The New Yorker

But I'm also interested in finding the answer to a more perplexing question — once the technology arose, where did it go to?

Nature

A more perplexing question is why plasma levels of cholesterol in the proband were so high while the child was breastfeeding, at a time when the circulating levels of plant sterols were not elevated?

Human Molecular Genetics

With less than three months until Election Day, Vice President Al Gore faces a crucial and perplexing question: why does his presidential campaign not seem to be benefiting from an economy that is as good as it gets?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with a clear statement of the question to ensure the audience understands the specific issue being addressed.

Common error

While effective, avoid using "a perplexing question" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary by employing synonyms like "a puzzling question" or "a challenging issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perplexing question" functions as a noun phrase, where "perplexing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "question". It introduces a subject that is difficult to understand or solve. Ludwig AI examples show the phrase in diverse contexts, supporting its role as a common way to introduce complex issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a perplexing question" serves as an effective means to introduce a subject that is difficult to understand. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase frequently appears in news articles, academic writings, and scientific research, indicating its broad applicability in formal contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and widespread use, suggesting that it is a reliable option for introducing challenging inquiries. When employing this phrase, consider diversifying your vocabulary with synonyms such as "a puzzling question" or "a baffling query" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a puzzling inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry" and "perplexing" with "puzzling", maintaining the sense of something difficult to understand.

a baffling query

Replaces "question" with "query" and "perplexing" with "baffling", emphasizing confusion.

a mystifying problem

Shifts from "question" to "problem" and uses "mystifying" instead of "perplexing", highlighting the enigmatic nature.

an enigmatic issue

Uses "issue" for "question" and "enigmatic" for "perplexing", suggesting a mysterious aspect.

a thorny matter

Employs "matter" for "question" and "thorny" for "perplexing", highlighting difficulty and complexity.

a challenging conundrum

Replaces "question" with "conundrum" and uses "challenging" instead of "perplexing", focusing on the difficulty of solving it.

an intricate puzzle

Shifts from "question" to "puzzle" and uses "intricate" for "perplexing", suggesting complexity and difficulty in resolving it.

a difficult dilemma

Uses "dilemma" for "question" and "difficult" for "perplexing", highlighting the challenging nature of making a decision.

a complex issue

Substitutes "question" with "issue" and "perplexing" with "complex", emphasizing its multifaceted nature.

a confusing point

Replaces "question" with "point" and "perplexing" with "confusing", focusing on the lack of clarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a perplexing question" to introduce a difficult or puzzling inquiry, as in "The sudden drop in sales presents "a perplexing question" for the marketing team".

What can I say instead of "a perplexing question"?

You can use alternatives like "a puzzling question", "a baffling query", or "an enigmatic issue" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a perplexing question" in formal writing?

Yes, "a perplexing question" is suitable for formal writing, including academic papers and professional reports, as it accurately conveys the complexity of an issue.

What's the difference between "a perplexing question" and "a confusing question"?

While both phrases indicate difficulty in understanding, ""a perplexing question"" often implies a deeper, more intricate level of complexity than "a confusing question".