a sweeping question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sweeping question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a question that is broad, general, or covers a wide range of topics, often requiring a comprehensive answer. Example: "The interviewer asked a sweeping question about the future of technology, prompting a lengthy discussion among the panelists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At the hearing, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, asked General Alexander and James R. Clapper Jr., the director of national intelligence, a sweeping question: "So what are all of the programs run by the N.S.A. or other federal agencies" that used either Section 215 of the Patriot Act or another surveillance law that allows warrantless wiretapping of phone and emails?

The New York Times

It's a sweeping question and an essential one for the film's brutal beating heart, but unlike a question such as "who watches the watchmen?" there is very little ambiguity here.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In his many books and articles, he posed sweeping questions about the nature of Islamic art, seeking to discover the impulses that generated its specific forms and dynamics of growth, and to explore the interconnections between faith and sociohistorical circumstances in its development.

The New York Times

Americans are great at sweeping questions away and turning complex shades of gray into black and white.

Vice

Paint with a sweeping motion.

WikiHow

Draw the face in a sweeping motion.

WikiHow

Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, but critics question the real motives behind the crackdown.

Huffington Post

Or was such a question offensive because there was no doubt that Saddam would score a sweeping victory?

The New York Times

Mr. Geffen asked few questions as they sat in the dining room off his screening room, with a sweeping view down his sculptured estate.

The New York Times

Outside, a sweeping mountain view.

The Economist

Trawling for surfers Sweeping changes Question time in Japan The battle for the last mile Reprints Related items Question time in JapanApr 29th 1999Even after Sony, a consumer-electronics company, cut its board from 40 to 10 in 1997 (three of these are independent non-executive directors), reform has been patchy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sweeping question" when you want to convey that the question covers a large area or has broad implications. It's useful for setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a sweeping question" in casual conversations. It sounds overly formal and might come across as pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "a big question" or "a general question" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sweeping question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sweeping" modifies the noun "question". It indicates that the question is broad, comprehensive, and covers a wide range of aspects, setting the stage for a detailed or extensive response. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sweeping question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, albeit relatively uncommon. Ludwig AI indicates its appropriateness for describing broad, general inquiries. It functions as a noun phrase, with the adjective "sweeping" modifying "question" to indicate its wide scope. While it is primarily found in News & Media contexts, it's less frequent in informal settings. Alternatives include "a broad question" or "a comprehensive question". When writing, use it to introduce discussions or analyses requiring detailed and extensive answers, but avoid overuse in casual contexts where simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad question

Replaces "sweeping" with "broad", maintaining the sense of wide scope but with a slightly less dramatic tone.

a comprehensive question

Substitutes "sweeping" with "comprehensive", emphasizing the thoroughness and completeness of the question.

a wide-ranging question

Uses "wide-ranging" in place of "sweeping", highlighting the extensive scope and variety covered by the question.

an all-encompassing question

Replaces "sweeping" with "all-encompassing", stressing the question's inclusion of all relevant aspects.

a general question

Substitutes "sweeping" with "general", indicating a question that is not specific or detailed.

a far-reaching question

Similar to "sweeping" but emphasizes the potential impact and consequences of the question.

a comprehensive inquiry

Replaces both "question" and "sweeping" to provide a slightly more formal tone.

a global question

Implies the question has a global or universal relevance.

a big-picture question

Replaces "sweeping" with "big-picture", indicating a question focused on overall context and implications.

a holistic question

Emphasizes the question considers the whole system or situation.

FAQs

How to use "a sweeping question" in a sentence?

You can use "a sweeping question" to introduce a broad inquiry that requires a detailed answer. For example, "The professor posed "a sweeping question" about the ethical implications of AI."

What can I say instead of "a sweeping question"?

You can use alternatives like "a broad question", "a comprehensive question", or "a general question" depending on the context.

Is "a sweeping question" formal or informal?

"A sweeping question" is generally considered more formal. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "a big question" or "a wide-ranging question".

When is it appropriate to use "a sweeping question"?

It is appropriate to use "a sweeping question" in situations where you want to emphasize the breadth and scope of the inquiry, such as in academic discussions, formal debates, or comprehensive analyses. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler alternatives suffice.