a substantial question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that is significant or important in a particular context. Example: "The committee will address a substantial question regarding the funding of the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

'If he has made these remarks there must be a substantial question mark over his position,' he said.

The Guardian

Nothing wrong with that in itself, of course, but it raises a substantial question mark over both the quality and the transparency of the research work done.

The Guardian

"I don't believe that an appeal raises a substantial question of law likely to result in reversal or a new trial," said Judge Holwell, in denying the motion.

The New York Times

The ruling on Tuesday suggested that lawyers for Mr. Chiasson and Mr. Newman had convinced the judges that there was a "substantial question" of law to be argued on appeal.

The New York Times

MARK SCOTT LIMITATIONS Federal officials have been calling for greater punishments for white-collar offenders, but there is a substantial question whether these proposals will have any appreciable impact on deterring future violations.

The New York Times

The Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b), directs that a defendant begin serving a prison term after sentencing, and that bail should be granted only if there is no risk of flight and the appeal "raises a substantial question of law or fact" that is likely to result in a conviction's being reversed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Even if you disagree with the constitutional arguments in favor of marriage equality, I don't think anyone could argue today that the issue does not present a serious and substantial question, especially in light of the Court's rulings in Romer v.

Huffington Post

These are all substantial questions that you can explore, and are themselves a healthy part of self-care.

Huffington Post

Nor does it answer the rather substantial question of how a G.O.P. that embraced economic populism would raise enough money to compete with the new Democratic money machine.

The New York Times

In its entirety, this was the discussion: "Dismiss for want of a substantial federal question".

The New York Times

Sometimes … some time after Baker, where we said it didn't even raise a substantial Federal question?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial question" to transition between topics, signaling a shift to a more critical or unresolved aspect of the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial question" for trivial inquiries. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the question carries significant weight or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a question or inquiry that is considered significant or important. This is confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial question" is a noun phrase used to introduce an inquiry of considerable significance. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and used across various contexts. It's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains. When using this phrase, ensure the question truly warrants its weight and complexity, avoiding overuse in trivial scenarios. Alternatives such as "a significant query" or "a critical issue" may be more appropriate depending on the intended nuance. The phrase is generally neutral, leaning towards formal, signaling that the question merits careful consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant query

Replaces "substantial" with "significant", indicating importance.

a major inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry" and "substantial" with "major", emphasizing the investigation aspect.

a critical issue

Changes the focus to an "issue" rather than a direct question, implying a problem needing resolution.

a key concern

Frames the question as a "concern", highlighting its importance and potential impact.

an important consideration

Shifts from a question to a "consideration", suggesting something that needs careful thought.

a noteworthy problem

Replaces question with "problem", focusing on the challenging aspect of the matter.

a fundamental challenge

Emphasizes the basic and essential nature of the challenge being questioned.

a primary subject of debate

Positions the question as a central topic of discussion or argument.

a matter of great import

Uses more formal language to stress the high level of importance of the matter.

a deep investigation

Substitutes "question" with "investigation", focusing on in-depth analysis.

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial question" to introduce an inquiry that has significant implications or requires deep consideration. For instance, "The ethical implications of AI raise "a substantial question" about its responsible development".

What phrases are similar to "a substantial question"?

Alternatives include "a significant query", "a critical issue", or "a key concern" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a substantial question"?

Yes, "a substantial question" is grammatically correct and widely used in formal and professional writing to refer to a significant or important inquiry.

What is the difference between "a substantial question" and "an important question"?

"A substantial question" often implies a deeper, more complex inquiry that requires significant analysis, while "an important question" simply denotes a question of high value or relevance. "Substantial" emphasizes the depth and weight of the question.