a serious question

USAGE SUMMARY

"a serious question" is a correct phrase to use in written English.
It can be used to describe a question that is important or meaningful. Example: He asked her a serious question about their relationship, hoping for an honest answer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a serious question.

Independent

Is that a serious question?

The Guardian - Sport

This is a serious question".

The New York Times

8.54pm: A serious question.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Is that a serious question?" he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a serious question.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Is that a serious question?" he replied.

The Guardian

Our reply: You raise a serious question.

The New York Times

That can't be a serious question.

The New York Times - Books

He asked a serious question about secondary breast cancer.

Independent

Well, that's hardly a serious question you say.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing "a serious question", provide enough context to highlight its importance. This helps the audience understand why the question merits careful consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious question" for trivial or rhetorical inquiries. Save it for situations where genuine investigation and thoughtful responses are required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious question" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to introduce a question that demands thoughtful consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious question" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the importance of an inquiry. Ludwig AI validates its usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants its gravitas, avoiding trivial matters. Alternatives like "an important question" or "a critical question" can be employed for nuanced emphasis. Remember to provide sufficient background to underscore the question's significance. With a neutral to formal register, this phrase effectively signals the need for careful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an important question

Replaces "serious" with "important", emphasizing the significance of the question.

a critical question

Substitutes "serious" with "critical", highlighting the question's crucial nature.

a significant question

Uses "significant" instead of "serious", underscoring the question's weight and implications.

a pressing question

Replaces "serious" with "pressing", indicating the urgency of the question.

a grave question

Uses "grave" instead of "serious", emphasizing the solemn and consequential nature of the question.

a profound question

Substitutes "serious" with "profound", highlighting the question's depth and insight.

a crucial question

Replaces "serious" with "crucial", emphasizing the decisive importance of the question.

a vital question

Uses "vital" instead of "serious", stressing the essential nature of the question.

a key question

Substitutes "serious" with "key", emphasizing the question's central role in understanding a topic.

a fundamental question

Replaces "serious" with "fundamental", highlighting the question's foundational importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious question" to introduce an inquiry that requires careful thought and consideration. For example: "The environmental impact of our actions raises "a serious question" about our sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "a serious question"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an important question", "a critical question", or "a significant question", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the question's importance.

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

No, it is not always necessary. Whether you describe a question as "serious" depends on the context and your goal. If you wish to emphasize the weight and importance of the inquiry, then using the phrase is appropriate; otherwise, the gravity of the question may be evident from the issue itself.

What makes a question qualify as "a serious question"?

A question qualifies as "a serious question" when its answer has significant implications, requires in-depth analysis, or addresses a critical problem. Such questions often involve complex considerations and cannot be answered lightly.