a primary question is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary question is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing an important or central question that needs to be addressed in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In our research on climate change, a primary question is how human activity contributes to global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For CrossFit and the coalition, a primary question is which credentialing the board will recognize.

The Washington Post

Among those who think that moral knowledge can be acquired via intuition and a priori reasoning, a primary question is whether the kind of justification such methods can generate is coherentist or foundationalist.

SEP

As for the β-Hermite ensemble, where for β > 0 can be taken any positive real value, a primary question is whether we can establish an internal relation with the random matrix model, whose eigenvalues obey the desired joint probability law.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

A primary question is why platelets would have miRNA?

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He said a primary question was how many core samples to take to ensure a sufficient range of strength tests without boring so many holes as to damage the building.

The New York Times

Since increasing EPC levels post-stroke were shown to be associated with a favorable outcome, the primary question is whether EPCs are only a surrogate marker of neurological improvement or whether a causal relationship exists.

Critical Care

Now that tensions between N.F.L. owners and players have escalated to a full-scale battle, the primary question is whether the players will stick together.

The New York Times - Sports

Their primary question is: 'Does A cause B, everything else being equal?' Consequently, randomised controlled trials and regression models are the research methods of choice.

BMJ Quality and Safety

In evidence-based medicine, the primary question is whether an intervention has effects on clinically relevant outcomes, as well as on symptoms such as coughs.

BMJ Open

"When we're faced with a dead whale on the beach, the primary question is, 'Why is it dead?'" he said.

The New York Times

What if I eat it five times a week?' You have to answer people's primary question — is this safe?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a core inquiry in academic writing, use "a primary question is" to clearly signal the focus of your research or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary question is" when introducing minor or easily answered questions. This phrase should be reserved for inquiries of significant importance or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary question is" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling the presentation of a core inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and serves to foreground a central question. The examples in Ludwig show its use in framing key issues in various fields.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary question is" serves as a useful introduction to a central inquiry, particularly in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage. While alternatives like ""a key question is"" or "the main question is" exist, it's important to reserve this phrase for questions of significant importance. Though less common than some alternatives, its precise function and clear signal of importance make it a valuable tool in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key question is

Replaces "primary" with "key", indicating a similarly important question.

a main question is

Substitutes "primary" with "main", suggesting the most important question.

the central question is

Uses "central" instead of "primary", focusing on the core issue.

the fundamental question is

Replaces "primary" with "fundamental", highlighting the foundational aspect of the question.

a critical question is

Uses "critical" instead of "primary", emphasizing the importance of the question to the outcome.

an important question is

Substitutes "primary" with "important", indicating the question's significance.

the major question is

Replaces "primary" with "major", suggesting a question of considerable size or impact.

the overriding question is

Uses "overriding" instead of "primary", suggesting a question that takes precedence over others.

the crucial question is

Replaces "primary" with "crucial", emphasizing the decisive nature of the question.

the pressing question is

Substitutes "primary" with "pressing", highlighting the urgency of the question.

FAQs

How can I use "a primary question is" in a sentence?

Use "a primary question is" to introduce a central or crucial inquiry within a discussion or analysis. For example, "In assessing the economic impact, a primary question is whether the benefits outweigh the costs".

What's the difference between "a primary question is" and "a key question is"?

While both phrases indicate an important question, "a primary question is" often suggests the main or foundational inquiry, whereas ""a key question is"" might refer to a particularly significant question among several.

What can I say instead of "a primary question is"?

You can use alternatives like "a main question is", "the central question is", or "the fundamental question is" depending on the specific emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a primary question is"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the most important question that needs to be answered or considered within a particular context. This phrase is especially useful in academic, scientific, or formal discussions.