a significant question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that holds considerable importance or relevance in a particular context. Example: "In the debate about climate change, a significant question arises: how can we effectively reduce carbon emissions?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was a significant question as to how secret the program was after five years.

The New York Times

But how much paperwork burden and administrative costs" would result was a significant question.

The New York Times

Story over, a significant question remains: Will that satellite dish be coming down?

The New York Times - Books

In its way, it is a significant question, which Milosevic's trial before an international tribunal may eventually raise.

The New York Times - Magazine

A significant question is whether the current board -- which approved Mr. Grasso's pay package -- can accomplish that.

The New York Times

But the drawer's presence raised a significant question: Should I toss the mattress on top of the drawer, or remove the drawer?

The New York Times

"There's still a significant question of ultimately whether we'll be able to complete this investigation the way you should," Schiff told me.

The New Yorker

A significant question remains: To what extent are these positive outcomes related to the extraordinary economic boom in the late 90's and into 2000?

The New York Times

That's a significant question because if he does so, the victims of the attack, and potentially their families, would be eligible for up to $75,000 in compensation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Achebe indicated that it was not "a very significant question", and that scholars would do well to wait until a body of work were large enough to judge.

Wikipedia

Or, to raise a more significant question, why did the city reopen the bidding process?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a significant question" with rhetorical devices to prompt audience engagement. This creates a sense of anticipation and relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant question" for trivial inquiries. Reserve it for situations where the question truly carries weight or introduces a complex issue. Overusing it dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant question" functions as a noun phrase, typically introducing a question of considerable importance or relevance. It serves to highlight the weight or implications of the inquiry, as demonstrated by Ludwig and its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant question" is a versatile phrase used to introduce inquiries of considerable importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, primarily in news, media, and scientific publications. While it's crucial to use it judiciously, reserving it for truly impactful questions, its value in framing important inquiries is undeniable. Alternatives include "an important question" or "a crucial question", depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An important question

Replaces "significant" with "important", emphasizing the relevance of the question.

A crucial question

Substitutes "significant" with "crucial", highlighting the critical nature of the question.

A key question

Replaces "significant" with "key", focusing on the essential nature of the question.

A major question

Uses "major" instead of "significant", stressing the magnitude of the question.

A vital question

Employs "vital" in place of "significant", underscoring the indispensable nature of the question.

A central question

Replaces "significant" with "central", indicating that the question is fundamental to the issue at hand.

A primary question

Uses "primary" instead of "significant", emphasizing the initial or foremost nature of the question.

A pressing question

Substitutes "significant" with "pressing", highlighting the urgency of the question.

A fundamental question

Replaces "significant" with "fundamental", indicating that the question addresses a basic or underlying issue.

A noteworthy question

Employs "noteworthy" in place of "significant", suggesting that the question is worthy of attention or mention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant question" to introduce an important point of inquiry. For example, "A significant question is whether we can achieve sustainable development without compromising economic growth."

What are some alternatives to "a significant question"?

Alternatives include "an important question", "a crucial question", or "a key question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "a significant question" or "an significant question"?

"A significant question" is correct. The article "a" is used before consonant sounds. Since "significant" starts with a consonant sound, "a" is the appropriate article.

What's the difference between "a significant question" and "a sensitive question"?

"A significant question" refers to the importance or impact of the inquiry, while "a sensitive question" refers to a question that might cause discomfort or offense. They address different aspects of the question's nature.