a salient question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a salient question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is particularly important or relevant to the topic at hand. Example: "In the discussion about climate change, a salient question is how we can effectively reduce carbon emissions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The repositioning of both sports and the eagerness with which each administration embraced them provokes a salient question: does sport in Australia still need free-to-air exposure to become mainstream?

The Guardian - Sport

Understanding the role of the family in the production of human capital is a salient question in economics.

Economics Letters

Here is a salient question: Does the aposteriority that characterizes the necessarily true statements retain its epistemological significance and surprise, given that it is associated with statements rather than propositions?

SEP

It was a salient question and it stumped me; I hadn't once thought about the differences in my reception.

Vice

How far Mousavi is willing to either lead or ride the Green Wave remains a salient question.

Huffington Post

It will be a salient question this year with the near-certain ascent of Ridley Scott's "The Martian".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Aside from questions of complicity, however, the logs also provide an opportunity to properly interrogate a more salient question: how did we treat the Iraqi man, woman and child?

The Guardian - Opinion

The possibility that Congress may act on corporate tax reform this year makes this a highly salient question.

The New York Times

Whether Lynch will uphold Holder's legacy for drug policy reform is a particularly salient question, particularly in light of the growing trend toward legalization in the states.

Vice

But a more salient question is why the United States has never been held accountable for when it has intervened -- in support of the oppressors.

Huffington Post

The underlying question here, however, goes deeper than the TV debates – it is really the viability of pan-UK parties amid a discourse where the salient question is whether you are on your own country's side – or instead on that of the hated Westminster.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a salient question" when you want to highlight a question that is particularly important and relevant to the discussion or analysis. It adds emphasis and signals the significance of the issue being raised.

Common error

While "a salient question" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "an important question" or "a key question" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a salient question" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a question of particular importance or relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The adjective "salient" modifies the noun "question", highlighting its significance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a salient question" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance and relevance of a question. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While it's not overly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, consider the formality of the situation and whether simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. Remember to avoid overuse in casual conversation to maintain a natural tone. The most authoritative sources for this term are The New York Times, The Guardian and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important question

Replaces "salient" with "important", indicating significance but with a slightly broader meaning.

a key question

Substitutes "salient" with "key", emphasizing the question's central importance.

a crucial question

Replaces "salient" with "crucial", highlighting the critical nature of the question.

a significant question

Uses "significant" instead of "salient", denoting importance and relevance.

a notable question

Replaces "salient" with "notable", suggesting the question is worthy of attention.

a prominent question

Employs "prominent" instead of "salient", indicating the question stands out.

a central question

Replaces "salient" with "central", focusing on the question's core relevance.

a pressing question

Uses "pressing" instead of "salient", suggesting urgency and importance.

a relevant question

Employs "relevant" instead of "salient", indicating the question's pertinence to the topic.

a pertinent question

Substitutes "salient" with "pertinent", emphasizing the question's direct relation to the matter at hand.

FAQs

What does "a salient question" mean?

The phrase "a salient question" refers to a question that is particularly important, relevant, and noticeable within a given context. It emphasizes the significance of the question being asked.

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

You can use "a salient question" to introduce a key issue or point of inquiry. For example, "A salient question is whether current policies are effectively addressing climate change".

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

You can use alternatives like "an important question", "a key question", or "a crucial question" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a salient question" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a salient question" is more suited for formal or academic settings. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like "an important question" or "a relevant question" might be more appropriate.