a question comes up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a question comes up" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it as a way to introduce a question that is relevant to the topic or conversation being discussed. For example: "A question comes up: How much time have I to finish this task?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

When a question comes up instantly, one answers one way and the other wants to answer it another way.

The New York Times - Sports

When a public figure utters a slur and news organizations use euphemisms to describe it, a question comes up: Who's really being protected?

The New York Times

If a question comes up, it's followed by a follow-up video.

Forbes

When a question comes up, that's a great opportunity to drop a note to the client with a link to the content that addresses their question.

Forbes

I've noticed conversations seem to be less interesting because whenever a question comes up, someone reaches for a phone and grabs the information, rather than discussing what they think the answer might be.

Huffington Post

As soon as one proposes the principle that sex is a matter of necessity for evolution, a question comes up: If evolution started in an asexual state, with sex emerging at a later point, then evolution was already taking place before sex.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Then a question came up about a postman in East Anglia who pretended to be disabled in order to win at paraplegic sports.

The Guardian

A question came up when a private tour organized by the photographer JILL KREMENTZ headed into the Chinese calligraphy exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday.

The New York Times

"Because every time a question came up, you could basically say, 'The commission, hopefully, is looking at this.' " But by late April Obama had vetoed the idea, fearing that it would look vindictive and, possibly, inflame his predecessor.

The New Yorker

When a question came up about health care, the policy area of Ms. McCaughey Ross's expertise, Mr. Larocca mentioned her rise to national fame as the author of an article attacking President Clinton's health care plan in 1994.

The New York Times

However, a question came up about the way they organize their credit card services.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a question comes up", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the question is and why it is relevant.

Common error

While acceptable, using "a question comes up" too frequently in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Consider using more precise alternatives like "a query arises" or "an issue emerges" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question comes up" functions as an introductory phrase to signal the emergence of an inquiry or problem. This phrase is used to smoothly introduce a question that is relevant to the current topic, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a question comes up" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to introduce a relevant query or issue within a discussion or narrative. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while suitable for diverse contexts like news, science, and academic discourse, more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional writing. It's a phrase that signals the natural emergence of a question, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a query arises

Replaces "question" with "query" and "comes up" with "arises", offering a slightly more formal tone.

an issue emerges

Substitutes "question" with "issue" and "comes up" with "emerges", shifting the focus to a problem or concern.

a point is raised

Replaces "question" with "point" and uses the passive voice, highlighting the act of someone bringing up the question.

the matter is brought up

Uses "matter" instead of "question" and emphasizes the act of introducing the topic.

a problem surfaces

Implies that the question is related to a difficulty or challenge.

a concern arises

Indicates the question relates to something causing worry or anxiety.

a dilemma presents itself

Suggests the question involves a difficult choice or situation.

the issue at hand

Focuses on a particular problem or question that needs to be addressed.

the subject is broached

Highlights the act of introducing a topic, often one that might be sensitive.

a topic is introduced

Simply states that a new subject is being presented.

FAQs

How can I use "a question comes up" in a sentence?

You can use "a question comes up" to introduce a relevant query or problem. For example, "During the meeting, "a question comes up" regarding budget allocation."

What's a more formal alternative to "a question comes up"?

More formal alternatives include "a query arises", "an issue emerges", or "a point is raised". These options offer a more sophisticated tone for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "a question came up" instead of "a question comes up"?

Yes, "a question came up" is the past tense form and is perfectly correct when referring to a question that arose in the past. For example, "A question came up during yesterday's meeting."

What is the difference between "a question comes up" and "a question is raised"?

"A question comes up" suggests that the question arises naturally from the situation, while "a question is raised" implies that someone is actively bringing the question to attention. The latter is often more direct and deliberate.