a recurrent question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recurrent question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that arises repeatedly in discussions or inquiries. Example: "In our meetings, a recurrent question is whether we should expand our services to new markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The movie does ask a recurrent question.

The New York Times

The link between deformational plagiocephaly and psychomotor development is a recurrent question in medical publications.

Archives de Pédiatrie

DIARMUID Martin, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Dublin, has a diverting reply to a recurrent question.

The Economist

While developing Understanding Evolution, a recurrent question that surfaced was why so many people in the United States do not understand and/or accept evolution.

University of California, Berkeley

Such discrepancies drive us to a recurrent question: Where is the oil money?

Huffington Post

A recurrent question is the definition of the precise role of centrioles during mitosis in eukaryotes.

Biology Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Therefore, a conspicuous yet recurrent question in KD research is whether the reduction in excitation is attributable to lipid metabolism or to dormant glucose metabolism.

Nature

In fact, the understanding of whether the visual word recognition is assumed only on the basis of letters or with other pertinent sources such as global visual pattern, is an important and recurrent question concerning alphabetic languages [ 25].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

"Where's Brooke?" The recurrent question is answered with a gesture, indicating the point at which she was last seen.

The New Yorker

Despite their apparent stable status, the recurrent question of whether this odd couple will wind up together at the end of the movie remains unresolved.

The Guardian - Film

"What would freedom look like?" is the recurrent question of Kunzru's book, and the author seems to half enjoy, half lament the inability of any of the agitators and terrorists in the novel to provide a convincing answer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a recurrent question" when you want to emphasize that an issue or inquiry arises repeatedly in a particular context or field.

Common error

Avoid using "recurrent" interchangeably with words like "recurring" or "frequent" without considering the nuance. "Recurrent" often implies a cyclical or returning pattern, while "frequent" simply means happening often.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recurrent question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a question that arises repeatedly. For example, "The most important question is whether this medical technology could affect the epigenome of human embryos produced in vitro."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a recurrent question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to a question that arises repeatedly. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is categorized as a neutral phrase that finds usage in various contexts, including science, news, media and academia. While not extremely common, it is well-understood and appropriate for both formal and informal settings. Alternative phrases such as "a recurring issue" or "a repeated query" can be used depending on the specific context you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recurring issue

Focuses on the problem aspect rather than the questioning aspect of the phrase.

a repeated query

Highlights the act of questioning and its repetitive nature.

a frequent inquiry

Emphasizes the frequency of the questioning.

a common concern

Shifts the focus to the underlying worry or problem that prompts the question.

a persistent inquiry

Stresses the continuous and ongoing nature of the question.

an ongoing debate

Highlights the aspect of discussion and differing opinions related to the question.

a standing question

Implies the question is always present and relevant.

a perennial question

Suggests the question has existed for a long time and continues to resurface.

a familiar problem

Focuses on the well-known nature of the issue, rather than the questioning itself.

a regular point of discussion

Emphasizes that the topic is discussed frequently.

FAQs

What does "a recurrent question" mean?

The phrase "a recurrent question" refers to a question or issue that arises repeatedly in a particular context or field of study.

What are some alternatives to "a recurrent question"?

You can use alternatives like "a recurring issue", "a repeated query", or "a frequent inquiry" depending on the specific context.

Is "recurrent" the same as "recurring"?

While similar, "recurrent" and "recurring" have slightly different connotations. "Recurrent" often suggests a cyclical or returning pattern, while "recurring" simply means happening again.

How do I use "a recurrent question" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The most important question is whether this medical technology could affect the epigenome of human embryos produced in vitro."