a string of questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"a string of questions" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a series of questions that are asked in quick succession or that are connected in some way. Example: During the press conference, the reporters bombarded the politician with a string of questions about her stance on healthcare, foreign policy, and recent scandals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This leads to a string of questions.

Independent

A pale Mr. Kerviel answered a string of questions about his personal and professional history.

The New York Times

He sent an e-mail message, including a string of questions about Mr. Wilson.

The New York Times

"They asked a string of questions that might have been appropriate in 1990," the scientist said.

The New York Times

At the other end of a string of questions trying to tease out a tinge of regret, Glavine held firm.

The New York Times - Sports

So a string of questions are answered with a fresh, yet telling, caution: Should Al Gore get into the race?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"Are you going into the volcano?" In any other country the question would be prefaced with "Good god, man!" and followed with a string of question and exclamation marks.

The Guardian - Travel

Pollsters Ipsos Mori also found 16% of the public said they had watched PMQs in full, and 38% had seen clips of the question session, at which the prime minister faces a total of six questions from the opposition leader and a string of other questions from hostile and friendly backbenchers.

BBC

I ran the question by her perfectly – I asked a string of easy questions that she answered quickly and then I snuck that one in (this almost always works when trying to get sensitive information out of entrepreneurs), but she was on the ball and her media training clicked in.

TechCrunch

He asked me a string of specific questions.

The New Yorker

It is believed by Hacked Off campaigners that the files can answer a string of outstanding questions: "Who were the 305 journalists involved and which newspapers were they working for?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a string of questions" when you want to emphasize that multiple questions were asked, often in quick succession or pertaining to a related topic. It adds a sense of volume or intensity to the inquiry.

Common error

While generally acceptable, overuse of "a string of questions" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by rephrasing with alternatives such as "a series of questions" or "several inquiries".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of questions" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb. It describes a sequence of inquiries, conveying the idea of multiple questions being asked successively. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a string of questions" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a series of inquiries, often implying a sense of volume or intensity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for general use, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "a series of questions" exist and may be more appropriate in highly formal writing, "a string of questions" remains a versatile and easily understood expression. When using this phrase, consider its implications of rapid succession or interrogation and adjust your choice based on the desired tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of questions

Emphasizes the sequential nature of the questions.

a chain of questions

Highlights the interconnectedness or logical link between the questions.

a barrage of questions

Implies a rapid and overwhelming flow of questions.

a sequence of questions

Focuses on the ordered arrangement of the questions.

a list of questions

Presents the questions as an enumerated set.

a set of questions

Highlights the collection or group aspect of the questions.

a volley of questions

Suggests the questions are being fired rapidly and successively.

a flurry of questions

Implies a sudden burst or rush of questions.

a stream of questions

Conveys a continuous flow of questions.

a round of questions

Suggests that each person gets a chance to ask questions.

FAQs

How can I use "a string of questions" in a sentence?

You can use "a string of questions" to describe a situation where someone is asked many questions in a row. For instance, "The suspect faced "a string of questions" from the detectives."

What's the difference between "a series of questions" and "a string of questions"?

While similar, "a series of questions" emphasizes the sequential and organized nature of the questions, while "a string of questions" often implies a more rapid or continuous flow. They are often interchangeable, but the best choice depends on the specific context you are describing.

What can I say instead of "a string of questions"?

You can use alternatives like "a series of questions", "a chain of questions", or "a barrage of questions" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a string of questions" in formal writing?

Yes, "a string of questions" is generally appropriate. However, in very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a series of inquiries" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.