a straightforward question

USAGE SUMMARY

'a straightforward question' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a question that is easy to answer or understand without requiring too much thought. For example, "I asked the teacher a straightforward question about the homework assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a straightforward question.

The New York Times

Here's a straightforward question.

MIT Technology Review

It sounds a straightforward question, doesn't it?

The Guardian - Business

It's really not a straightforward question to answer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

To watch: Herman Cain "pulls a Perry" after stumbling mightily over a straightforward question about Libya.

The New Yorker

If you ask it a straightforward question you get a straightforward answer.

Independent

Her careful word choice revealed the complication behind what seems like a straightforward question.

The Washington Post

It is a straightforward question, but the woman shakes her head sadly.

The Guardian

I referred this question to the relevant faculty committee, which thought it a straightforward question and provided a unanimous response.

Yale University

The first is a straightforward question of interpretation: What is the best way to interpret standard mathematical sentences and theories?

Encyclopedia Britannica

At issue was a straightforward question: Does putting wine and chocolate into a basket amount to manufacturing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a straightforward question", ensure that the context indeed supports the idea of simplicity and ease of understanding. Avoid using it ironically when the question is actually complex.

Common error

Avoid labeling a question as "a straightforward question" if it requires significant background knowledge or complex reasoning to answer. This can create a mismatch between expectation and reality, confusing your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a straightforward question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the nature of a question, indicating that it is simple and easily understood, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a straightforward question" is a commonly used phrase to describe a question that is simple and easy to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the question's simplicity to avoid misleading your audience. Alternatives like "a simple question" or "an easy question" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the desired nuance. Overall, this phrase is a reliable and effective way to communicate the uncomplicated nature of an inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an easy question

Focuses on the simplicity of answering the question.

a simple query

Replaces "question" with a more formal synonym, "query", while maintaining the sense of ease.

a direct inquiry

Emphasizes the directness and purposefulness of the question.

a clear question

Highlights the clarity and lack of ambiguity in the question.

a plain question

Stresses the uncomplicated and unadorned nature of the question.

a basic question

Indicates that the question covers fundamental or elementary aspects.

an uncomplicated question

Uses a more formal word choice to convey the lack of complexity.

a transparent question

Suggests the question is open and easily understood.

an elementary question

Highlights the question's foundational nature.

a routine question

Implies that the question is standard and frequently asked.

FAQs

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

You can use "a straightforward question" to describe a question that is easy to understand and answer. For instance, "The interviewer asked "a straightforward question" about my previous job experience."

What are some alternatives to saying "a straightforward question"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a simple question", "an easy question", or "a direct question", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a straightforward question" or "a directly forward question"?

"A straightforward question" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "A directly forward question" is not standard English.

What's the difference between "a straightforward question" and "an obvious question"?

"A straightforward question" implies ease of understanding and answering, while "an obvious question" suggests that the answer is already known or easily deduced.