a relevant question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relevant question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a question that is pertinent or applicable to the topic being discussed. Example: "During the meeting, she raised a relevant question about the project's timeline that prompted further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year, it's a relevant question whether higher education is really worth the costs.

Independent

I don't think it's a relevant question".

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't consider that a relevant question.

The New York Times - Magazine

That's still such a relevant question now.

The Guardian - Music

She happened to have a relevant question: it concerned gratitude.

The New Yorker

In artistic and social terms, it is still a relevant question.

The New York Times - Arts

Why? Buñuel was a Surrealist, so "why" is not a relevant question.

The Guardian - Film

Whether SKRPs recruit specific substrate RNAs is a relevant question that arises from our work.

Nature

For those people who desire to reduce their carbon footprint, this might be a relevant question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

TB: But I am not sure that it is and therefore I don't know that it's a relevant question.

The Guardian

And you're right, it may not be a relevant question and it may not be your case.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relevant question" to introduce inquiries that directly address the core issues or concerns of the discussion, signaling their importance to the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a relevant question" repeatedly within a short piece of writing. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "an important question" or "a key inquiry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relevant question" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or identifies an inquiry that is pertinent and significant within a given context. Ludwig's examples show its use across various domains, emphasizing its role in directing attention to crucial points.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

46%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a relevant question" is a versatile phrase used to highlight the pertinence and significance of an inquiry across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in news, scientific, and academic domains. While alternatives like "a pertinent question" or "an important question" exist, "a relevant question" directly signals the importance of addressing the core issues at hand. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to emphasize the key inquiries that drive understanding and progress in any discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pertinent question

Replaces "relevant" with "pertinent", emphasizing the directness and appropriateness of the question to the matter at hand.

an important question

Substitutes "relevant" with "important", highlighting the significance and weight of the question being asked.

a key question

Replaces "relevant" with "key", stressing that the question is central and essential to the subject.

a valid question

Changes "relevant" to "valid", focusing on the legitimacy and justification for asking the question.

a crucial question

Emphasizes the critical and decisive nature of the question by using "crucial" instead of "relevant".

a significant question

Uses "significant" to underscore the importance and impact of the question.

an applicable question

Replaces "relevant" with "applicable", focusing on whether the question can be suitably applied to the situation.

a germane question

Substitutes "relevant" with the more formal "germane", indicating the question is closely related and appropriate.

a fitting question

Uses "fitting" to suggest that the question is appropriate and suitable in the given context.

a timely question

Emphasizes the question's appropriateness due to the current circumstances or moment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a relevant question" to introduce an inquiry that is pertinent to the topic at hand. For example, "A relevant question is whether these policies effectively address the root causes of the problem."

What phrases can I use instead of "a relevant question"?

Alternatives to "a relevant question" include "a pertinent question", "an important question", or "a key question". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state that a question is relevant?

No, it's not always necessary. Often, the relevance of a question is implied by the context. Explicitly stating that a question is relevant can be useful when you want to emphasize its importance or direct the audience's attention to a crucial point.

What makes a question "relevant"?

A question is considered "relevant" when it directly relates to the topic being discussed, helps to clarify key issues, or contributes to a better understanding of the subject matter. Its importance lies in its ability to advance the conversation or investigation.