a pertinent question

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pertinent question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a question that is relevant to the topic at hand or is helpful to arriving at a solution or finding an answer. For example: "John posed a pertinent question to the panel of experts that allowed them to narrow down their search for the cause of the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a pertinent question.

The New York Times

Soon enough, McCoy found himself asking Goodell a pertinent question.

The New York Times - Sports

On a related note, Cyril Huze asked a pertinent question.

The New York Times

"It's not that it's not a pertinent question.

The New York Times - Sports

More than 20 years later, it's a pertinent question.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His task was to pose a pertinent question, and make sure everyone contributed.

The Guardian - Tech

My idea at that time was very clear: David Cameron was raising a pertinent question.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a pertinent question in an age of carbon-trading and offsetting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, one replied, perhaps you could try asking one of your team-mates a pertinent question.

The Guardian - Sport

When Democracy premiered 13 years ago, that was a pertinent question to ask.

The Guardian

Mr. Redden, suspicious after days of fruitless negotiations, quickly asked a pertinent question: What about the actors?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "a pertinent question", ensure that the context clearly establishes why the question is relevant and important to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a pertinent question" when the question's relevance to the topic is weak or unclear. Ensure the question directly addresses a central issue or contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pertinent question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It introduces a question deemed relevant and important to the discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pertinent question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to emphasize the relevance and importance of a question within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business settings, it signals that the inquiry is crucial for understanding or resolving a key issue. When using this phrase, ensure the question's relevance is clear and directly contributes to the discussion. Alternatives like "a relevant question" or "an important question" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relevant question

Replaces "pertinent" with "relevant", emphasizing the direct connection to the topic.

an appropriate question

Substitutes "pertinent" with "appropriate", highlighting suitability for the situation.

a fitting question

Uses "fitting" instead of "pertinent", suggesting the question is well-suited or apt.

a germane question

Employs "germane", a more formal synonym for relevant, indicating a close relationship to the matter at hand.

an important question

Replaces "pertinent" with "important", stressing the significance of the question.

a crucial question

Uses "crucial" instead of "pertinent", highlighting the critical nature of the question.

a significant question

Replaces "pertinent" with "significant", emphasizing the weight and consequence of the question.

a key question

Substitutes "pertinent" with "key", suggesting the question is central to understanding the topic.

a vital question

Uses "vital" instead of "pertinent", stressing that the question is essential and necessary.

a pressing question

Replaces "pertinent" with "pressing", emphasizing the urgency or need to address the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pertinent question" to introduce a question that is relevant and important to the topic at hand. For example: "After the presentation, the audience member asked a pertinent question about the budget allocation".

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

You can use alternatives like "a relevant question", "an appropriate question", or "an important question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a pertinent question"?

It's appropriate to use "a pertinent question" when you want to emphasize that a question is directly related to the topic being discussed and is important for understanding or resolving an issue.

What makes a question "pertinent"?

A question is "pertinent" when it is relevant, appropriate, and significant to the matter at hand. It directly addresses a key issue or helps to clarify an important aspect of the topic.