a significant question is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant question is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing an important inquiry or topic that requires attention or discussion. Example: "A significant question is whether we can achieve our sustainability goals within the next decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

A significant question is: how do we place a full-up tether climber, driven by solar power, above the atmosphere?

Acta Astronautica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A more significant question is what made the NoW so vulnerable.

The Guardian

What is far harder to quantify – and a highly significant question – is how much support the group has from Iraq's wider Sunni community, the people who lost their power and influence when Saddam was overthrown.

The Guardian

But the significant question is whether it can maintain this profit growth.

The Guardian

The more significant question is whether rewriting history is the proper answer.

The New York Times

Another significant question is whether Alfonso Soriano -- arguably the team's top prospect -- will ever be consistent enough defensively to play shortstop in the major leagues.

The New York Times - Sports

The most significant question is whether conservatives are prepared to face the cost of the remedies, from in-prison education and job training to more robust probationary supervision and drug and mental-health treatment.

The New Yorker

The more significant question is the economics of the Internet.

Forbes

The more significant question is how much money the candidates have right now.

Vice

The far more significant question is how these contests take shape once the second, small, unrepresentative contest in New Hampshire next week ends, and significant numbers of voters begin to weigh in.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant question is" to introduce inquiries that are central to your argument or analysis. It signals to the reader that the following question is of considerable importance.

Common error

While "significant" is a useful adjective, overusing it can weaken your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "key", "crucial", or "important" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant question is" functions as an introductory phrase to highlight the importance of the question being posed. As shown in Ludwig, it sets the stage for deeper inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant question is" is a versatile phrase used to introduce important inquiries across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in news, scientific, and business writing to highlight key questions. While effective, writers should vary their language to avoid overuse and ensure the adjective "significant" truly applies. Consider alternatives like "a key question is" or "a crucial question is" to maintain reader engagement and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key question is

Replaces "significant" with "key", indicating a central or essential question.

an important question is

Substitutes "significant" with "important", denoting a question of considerable relevance.

a crucial question is

Replaces "significant" with "crucial", highlighting a question of critical importance.

a vital question is

Similar to 'crucial' but emphasizes the essential or necessary nature of the question.

a central question is

Indicates that the question is at the heart of the matter or discussion.

a major question is

Emphasizes the scale and impact of the question.

the primary question is

Highlights that the question is the first in order of importance or consideration.

the main concern is

Shifts the focus from a question to a central worry or point of interest.

the underlying issue is

Changes the phrasing to emphasize the fundamental problem beneath the surface.

what remains to be seen is

Focuses on the uncertainty and the need for future evidence or developments.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant question is" to introduce a query that is central to the topic. For example, "A significant question is whether the proposed policy will effectively address climate change".

What are some alternatives to "a significant question is"?

You can use alternatives like "a key question is", "a crucial question is", or "an important question is" to add variety to your writing.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "a significant question is"?

While grammatically correct, overuse can diminish its impact. Ensure the question you're introducing truly warrants the adjective "significant". Consider rephrasing with alternatives for less critical inquiries.

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

"A significant question is" emphasizes the importance of the query, while "the key question is" suggests it is the most essential question to consider.