a redundant question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a redundant question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when a question is asked that does not require an answer because it is unnecessary or has already been answered. For example, "Do you think it will rain today? That's a redundant question - we already know it's forecasted to rain all day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A 2009 New Yorker article on whether the Amazon Kindle could "improve on the book", is today a redundant question.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Lynas squints at his interlocutor and asks, "Are you still pro-nuclear?" It's a redundant question, even in Fukushima.

The New York Times

"Did you come for the singles night?" I asked and immediately shook my head at such a redundant question.

Vice

There's no more effective of a pick-up line than "So did you just take a shit or were you taking drugs?" It's a redundant question anyway – Nobody goes to the bathroom to take drugs, and Fabric isn't where you go to talk to women anyway.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The first and last author then combined content from all 4 surveys, deleting any redundant questions.

BMC Health Services Research

"There's been a lot of great questions, a lot of insight and a lot of redundant questions," Rolle said.

The New York Times

All of which raises the redundant question: does New York need more luxury housing?

The Guardian - Arts

Finally, "this course is integrated into the curriculum and not redundant" (Question 3).

BMC Medical Education

The answer to the redundant question was compared with the one deduced from the first two, assuming the transitivity of judgment.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

A routinely employed set of assessment tools was recommended as a solution to the redundant questions asked by different providers.

BMC Geriatrics

After filling out a plethora of forms, answering redundant questions from three different people over the course of an hour, and being reminded about all the possible side effects so many times that I almost chickened out, they finally gave me the damn shot.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a redundant question" to gently point out that someone is asking something already known or irrelevant. This can save time and redirect the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "a redundant question" too frequently, as it can come across as condescending. Instead, vary your language to provide constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a redundant question" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a question as unnecessary or repetitive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and used to indicate that the question does not require an answer.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a redundant question" is a grammatically sound and useful expression to identify a question that is unnecessary because the answer is already known. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves the purpose of pointing out that the information is already available or obvious, and is usually used in a neutral context. Its frequency is rare, appearing mostly in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is helpful for highlighting inefficiencies in communication, it’s important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding condescending. Consider alternatives like "an unnecessary inquiry" or "a pointless question" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an already answered question

Directly states the question has been responded to before.

an unnecessary inquiry

Focuses on the lack of necessity of the question.

a needless question

Highlights that the question serves no useful purpose.

a superfluous question

Emphasizes that the question is excessive or beyond what's required.

a pointless question

Stresses the lack of any valid reason for asking the question.

a question that doesn't need asking

Implies the question is so obvious it shouldn't be posed.

an irrelevant question

Indicates that the question is not related to the current situation.

a repetitive question

Highlights that the question has already been asked.

a moot point

Suggests the question is no longer worth discussing because it's resolved.

a settled matter

Indicates the question has already been decided.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to call something "a redundant question"?

It's appropriate when a question is asked that adds no new information or has already been addressed. Ensure you're not being dismissive, but rather clarifying the conversation.

What can I say instead of "a redundant question"?

You can use alternatives like "an unnecessary inquiry", "a pointless question", or "an irrelevant question" depending on the context.

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

You can say, "Asking if we have enough budget for this project is a redundant question; we discussed it thoroughly last week."

What's the difference between "a redundant question" and "a loaded question"?

"A redundant question" is unnecessary because the answer is already known, while "a loaded question" is designed to trap the respondent, regardless of their answer.