a question persists

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a question persists" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a particular question remains unanswered or continues to be relevant despite other discussions or developments. Example: "Despite the numerous answers provided, a question persists about the long-term effects of the policy change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And as the new 12th plan is finalised at a time of stalled reforms and economic concerns, a question persists: what difference has the Planning Commission actually made?This is not about the country missing some targets, most of which are entirely beyond the commission's control.

The Economist

A question persists: is futures research actually making a step forward to expanding its horizon beyond the enlightened (the expert, the specialist) and beyond the initiated (in power), or that transition into a fully-fledged foresight is still to come?

European Journal of Futures Research

It surprises me, on many fronts, that such a question persists -- yet it does.

Huffington Post

With every move Suleman makes, including her latest "firing" of the free in-home child care services provided by a national charity, a question persists: Can she be charged with child abuse or neglect and stripped of her children for attempting to single-handedly mother 14 children, 8 of them premature infants?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

However, a normative question persists.

SEP

A key question persists in the wake of George Zimmerman's acquittal on charges of homicide: To what extent did race play a role in the death of Trayvon Martin?

Huffington Post

She describes the pain of training and the aching limbs, remembers asking herself before she gave up: "What for?" The question persists alongside a more wistful and unanswerable "What if?" Three years ago, Leanne Shapton published a novel, Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry.

The Guardian - Books

Thus, the question persists "does a gene's location matter?" In support of this, the evidence so far shows that genes are not randomly positioned within the nucleus, and furthermore, their location is influenced by the respective chromosomal neighborhood.

Chromosoma

But the question persists: what is a planet?

The Guardian

But the unanswered question persists: why do women continue to be such a consistently small minority in composition?

The New York Times

The question persists: Could Lehman's collapse have been avoided?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a question persists" to emphasize the enduring nature of an inquiry despite attempts to answer it. This highlights the complexity or lack of conclusive evidence surrounding the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a question persists" when a question has already been answered or is no longer relevant. The phrase implies that the question remains open and requires further consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question persists" functions as an assertion that an inquiry or issue remains unresolved or continues to be relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and used to indicate that a particular question remains unanswered despite other discussions or developments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a question persists" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that an inquiry remains unresolved or relevant despite ongoing discussions. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. While its frequency is rare, its presence across News & Media and Scientific sources underscores its value in highlighting enduring uncertainties. Consider related phrases like "a question remains" or "a question lingers" to achieve nuanced expression. When employing this phrase, ensure the question is genuinely unresolved to maintain accuracy. Ultimately, this analysis offers writers a guide on harnessing "a question persists" effectively and insightfully in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a question remains

Replaces "persists" with "remains", indicating that the question has not been answered or resolved.

a question lingers

Uses "lingers" to suggest that the question continues to be present in one's thoughts or discussions.

the issue is still open

Shifts from a question to an issue, indicating the topic is unresolved.

the problem is still outstanding

Replaces "question" with "problem" and indicates that it needs to be resolved.

the inquiry continues

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", suggesting a formal investigation is still underway.

the matter is unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution for a particular matter.

the debate is ongoing

Highlights the ongoing discussion and lack of consensus on a topic.

the puzzle endures

Replaces "question" with "puzzle", suggesting a complex or mysterious problem remains.

the riddle stands

Similar to "puzzle endures", but emphasizes the mysterious or enigmatic nature of the unresolved issue.

the uncertainty prevails

Highlights the continuing lack of clarity or certainty about a topic.

FAQs

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

Use "a question persists" to indicate that a particular question remains relevant or unanswered despite ongoing discussions or developments. For example, "Despite the new evidence, "a question persists" regarding the true motives of the suspect."

What is an alternative to "a question persists"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a question remains", "a question lingers", or "the issue is still open". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

It's appropriate to use "a question persists" when you want to highlight that a question has not been definitively answered or resolved and continues to be a point of concern or inquiry. It suggests the topic needs further exploration or investigation.

What is the tone of "a question persists"?

The tone is generally neutral to slightly serious, implying that the unresolved question has some importance or significance. It's suitable for academic, journalistic, and professional contexts where objectivity is valued.