a question that can

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a question that can" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a question that has the potential to elicit a specific response or outcome. Example: "This is a question that can lead to a deeper understanding of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's not a question that can be answered".

The Guardian - Books

That's a question that can only be answered empirically.

MIT Technology Review

Here's a question that can at last be asked openly.

The Guardian

This is a question that can be posed in two different ways.

The New York Times - Magazine

And it's a question that can certainly be asked of this year's winner.

Independent

This, surely, is a question that can admit just one answer in any civilised mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

4. It's not a question that can be answered at her age.

The Guardian - Books

It is a question that can be answered by a powerful progressive manifesto.

The Guardian - Opinion

That seems like a question that can easily be answered in the details of their campaigns.

The New Yorker

Surprisingly it's not a question that can be solved by Google.

The Guardian

As Mr. Bush surely knew, it is a question that can upset the difficult balance Mr. Kerry must strike.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a question that can", ensure the context clearly indicates what the question is capable of achieving or what kind of answer it might elicit. This adds precision and relevance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a question that can" in overly broad contexts without specifying the potential outcome or impact. A vague question may lack purpose and diminish the effectiveness of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question that can" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object complement, modifying a noun (question) with a relative clause describing its potential or capability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and generally used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a question that can" is a versatile and grammatically correct construction used to introduce questions and emphasize their potential or capabilities. As evidenced by the numerous examples found through Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news media, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI underlines the correctness of this sentence.

To maximize its effectiveness, ensure that the context clearly indicates the potential outcome or impact of the question. Avoid overly broad uses that lack specificity. Alternatives like "a query that might" or "an inquiry that could" can offer subtle variations in tone and formality. By following these guidelines, writers can confidently use this phrase to enhance clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a query that might

Changes 'question' to 'query' and uses 'might' to soften the potential.

an inquiry that could

Replaces 'question' with 'inquiry' and 'can' with 'could', indicating possibility.

a problem that may

Substitutes 'question' with 'problem' and uses 'may' to suggest a possibility.

a matter that is able to

Replaces 'question' with 'matter' and rephrases 'can' to 'is able to', making it more formal.

a topic that has the potential to

Changes the focus to 'topic' and uses 'has the potential to', increasing the formality.

a point that is capable of

Replaces 'question' with 'point' and uses 'is capable of', providing a formal alternative.

an issue that has the ability to

Changes the focus to 'issue' and uses 'has the ability to', creating a more emphatic tone.

a subject that is positioned to

Replaces 'question' with 'subject' and uses 'is positioned to', indicating readiness or suitability.

a challenge that might be

Replaces 'question' with 'challenge' and uses 'might be', framing it as a difficulty.

a concern that is liable to

Changes 'question' to 'concern' and uses 'is liable to', indicating a tendency.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a question that can" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "a query that might", "an inquiry that could", or "a matter that is able to" depending on the context and the desired level of formality. Consider also using "a problem that may".

Is "a question that can" always appropriate?

While grammatically correct, the phrase "a question that can" might sometimes sound generic. Ensure that the context warrants its use and that it effectively conveys the potential or capability of the question being posed. If not, consider a more specific phrasing.

What's the difference between "a question that can" and "a question that is able to"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "a question that is able to" may sound slightly more formal. "A question that can" is generally preferred for its conciseness and natural flow in most contexts. You can find different scenarios of "a matter that is able to" to compare use cases.

How to use "a question that can" effectively in academic writing?

In academic writing, "a question that can" is useful for introducing research questions or hypotheses. For instance, "This is a question that can be addressed through empirical analysis." Ensure that the question's relevance and potential contribution to the field are clearly articulated.