a question to ask

USAGE SUMMARY

"a question to ask" is correct and is used in written English.
You can use it when you are introducing a question that you will ask or that someone else has asked. For example, "A question to ask is: what does success look like to you?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Why? 'That's a question to ask them.

The Guardian - Arts

He suggests it's a question to ask the Egyptians.

The Guardian

What a question to ask in Sydney?' Claire retorts.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's almost too big of a question to ask".

The Guardian - Music

I asked Mrs Devi if she had a question to ask me.

Independent

At Max's, the Italian diplomat had a question to ask Ahmet.

The New Yorker

A question to ask of all outbreaks of corporate goodness is, who is paying?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

It's a great question to ask an exercise physiologist.

The New Yorker

That's a great question to ask.

The New York Times

"That's a big question to ask".

The New York Times

It's a difficult question to ask.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a question to ask" to clearly introduce or highlight a specific inquiry within a discussion or text. It's effective for focusing attention on the question itself.

Common error

Avoid using "a question to ask" simply as filler language without a clear purpose. Ensure the question is relevant and adds value to the context, rather than being a redundant introduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a question to ask" functions as an introductory phrase. It prepares the audience for an upcoming inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is used to introduce a question that will be asked.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a question to ask" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce an inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and general usage, and examples show that it's found across diverse sources, including news, science, and business. When writing, use it to signal the intent to pose a question, but ensure it adds value and avoids redundancy. Related alternatives include phrases like "something to inquire about" or "an inquiry to pose", but use them strategically to avoid misusing it as a filler.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something I'd like to ask

Personalizes the phrase, indicating a desire to ask a question.

an inquiry to pose

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "ask" with "pose", changing the vocabulary while retaining the core meaning.

a query to raise

Substitutes "question" with "query" and "ask" with "raise", offering a slightly more formal tone.

something to inquire about

Restructures the sentence to focus on the act of inquiring, using a different grammatical structure.

a topic worth asking about

Emphasizes the value or relevance of the question.

a point to investigate

Shifts the focus from asking to investigating, implying a more in-depth exploration.

an issue for consideration

Replaces the direct question with an issue that needs to be thought about.

a matter to explore

Focuses on exploring a topic rather than directly asking a question.

a subject for discussion

Transforms the question into a topic to be discussed.

a problem to address

Presents the question as a problem that needs to be solved.

FAQs

How can I use "a question to ask" in a sentence?

You can use "a question to ask" to introduce a specific inquiry. For example, "A question to ask is whether we have considered all the potential risks."

What phrases are similar to "a question to ask"?

Alternatives include phrases like "something to inquire about", "an inquiry to pose", or "a query to raise".

Is it always necessary to use "a question to ask" before posing a question?

No, it is not always necessary. While "a question to ask" can effectively highlight a specific inquiry, it can sometimes be redundant. Consider if the question is already clear from the context. If it is clear, you can omit it.

What is the difference between "a question to ask" and "a question that needs to be asked"?

"A question to ask" is a direct way to introduce an inquiry. "A question that needs to be asked" emphasizes the necessity or importance of the question being posed. The latter implies there is a compelling reason to ask the question.