a secondary question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a secondary question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is not the primary focus but still holds some relevance or importance in a discussion or analysis. Example: "While the main issue is the budget, a secondary question to consider is how the changes will affect employee morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Who was winning the fight is a secondary question.

The New York Times

A secondary question evaluated if student on-task behavior correlated with increased data collection.

Journal of School Psychology

A secondary question is, How, if there be a right of review, can it be exercised?

Cornell University

The primary thrust is to grow brands organically and would we need capital to facilitate that … is a secondary question".

The Guardian

"But that is a secondary question on what are the priorities and I believe the potential for organic growth is significant.

The Guardian

A secondary question considered whether the frequency of features of neuropathic pain, kinesiophobia, high pain ratings, hyperalgesia, and allodynia differed according to subgroups of sensory phenotypes.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Reviewing a very large number of relevant studies for a single secondary question would consume extensive resources for a diminishing return.

Environmental Management

Our results raise an important secondary question: Why have the more interferon sensitive genotypes (e.g. genotype 2) not become equally resistant over time, especially given the high mutation rate of HCV?

Plosone

As the evidence indicates that exposures affect the progression of common epithelial cancers, an important secondary question is when such exposures are having this effect.

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

Because this was a secondary study question, we acknowledged that the question would be underpowered.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Our secondary question was whether an ideal number or type of physical therapist appraiser would be evident from reliability data.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "a secondary question", clearly establish the primary question first to provide context and demonstrate the relationship between the two.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a secondary question" without first clarifying the main focus. This can confuse the reader and diminish the importance of the primary inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary question" functions as a discourse marker, introducing an inquiry that is related to, but less central than, the primary focus. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a secondary question" serves to introduce a supplementary inquiry related to a primary topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, including science, news, and academia. While maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's important to clearly establish the primary question before introducing the secondary one, to ensure clarity and maintain focus. Related alternatives such as "an additional question" or "a follow-up question" can be used depending on the specific context. Common errors involve failing to establish a clear hierarchy between the primary and secondary inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an additional question

Replaces "secondary" with "additional", highlighting the supplementary nature of the question.

a follow-up question

Emphasizes the sequential aspect, implying it comes after a primary question.

a related question

Highlights the connection to the main topic, indicating relevance.

a supplementary inquiry

Uses more formal language to denote an additional line of questioning.

a subsidiary question

Implies a question that is dependent on or derived from the main issue.

a tangential question

Suggests a question that is somewhat related but not central to the main topic.

a side question

Informal way to describe a question that branches off from the main discussion.

an ancillary question

Formal term for a question that provides support or is auxiliary to the primary one.

a peripheral question

Indicates the question is on the outer edges of the main subject.

a less important question

Directly states the question's reduced significance compared to the main issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a secondary question" to introduce an additional, less important inquiry related to the main topic. For example, "The primary concern is funding; "a secondary question" is how to allocate resources efficiently."

What is another way to say "a secondary question"?

Alternatives include "a follow-up question", "a related question", or "an additional question". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the relationship to the main issue.

What's the difference between "a primary question" and "a secondary question"?

"A primary question" is the main focus of inquiry, while "a secondary question" is a related but less important issue that arises from or complements the primary one.

Is it always necessary to have "a secondary question" in research?

No, it's not always necessary. A research study may focus solely on the primary question. However, exploring "a secondary question" can provide additional insights and a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.