a timeless question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a timeless question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that remains relevant and significant across different times and contexts. Example: "The debate about the meaning of life is truly a timeless question that has intrigued philosophers for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In the "Ring" Wagner grapples with a timeless question: What do our gods look like?

The New York Times - Arts

Throughout the discussion, a timeless question recurred: Is Obama truly a writer, or is he just a person who writes?

The New Yorker

The historical details in this short book powerfully ground it in its moment, but a timeless question drives the story: Will the two friends, Joey and Albert, ever see each other again?

The New York Times - Books

More than any recent championship game, the pairing of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII posed a great matchup and a timeless question that went to the heart of football: Can a great high-yield offense defeat a great low-yield defense?

The New York Times

It is a timeless question and rest assured that you will be asked it when your love life is as stinky and dry as a popcorn fart.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Do you have a bag packed?" Jeffrey Goldberg asks this timeless question of a prominent French philosopher and Holocaust survivor in an interview for a feature article in the current issue of the Atlantic.

Huffington Post

This year, somewhere in America, in a small town full of baseball fields and bakeries, churches and bowling alleys, a VFW club and a Dairy Queen, a young high school student took a deep breath and asked that timeless question, "You wanna go to the prom?" I never quite understood why gay women get the noun and gay men get the adjective, but so be it, this particular girl happens to be a lesbian.

Huffington Post

Spoonfed is a fairly simple idea that answers the timeless question of those seeking diversion: "What is there to do in this place?" The site pairs a comprehensive list of events in London backed by original editorial content, and complemented by a stream of user-generated content from an active and outgoing user community.

TechCrunch

All of this assumes, incorrectly, that the submarine has already been geo-located in a particular area, which brings us to the timeless question of the oceans turning transparent.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Why us?" she asked, the timeless question of victims.

The New York Times

Many riders tussle daily with the timeless question: local or express?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a timeless question" when you want to emphasize that the question has been asked and considered throughout history and remains relevant today.

Common error

Avoid using "a timeless question" for issues that are fleeting or of minor importance. Reserve it for inquiries that genuinely have deep historical or philosophical significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a timeless question" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes a particular type of question, one that is not bound by time and continues to be relevant, like Ludwig examples illustrate.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a timeless question" is a noun phrase used to denote an enduring and consistently relevant inquiry. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable across various contexts, though most commonly found in news, media and scientific publications. The phrase is neutral to formal, signaling its appropriateness for discussions on long-standing intellectual matters. When writing, ensure the term's use aligns with its significance; reserve it for truly fundamental and enduring inquiries, replacing it with alternatives like "an age-old question" or "a perennial question" to prevent overuse in trivial scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an eternal question

Emphasizes that the question is likely to exist forever.

an age-old question

Focuses on the antiquity of the question, highlighting its existence across many years.

a perennial question

Emphasizes the recurring nature of the question, suggesting it comes up repeatedly.

a persistent question

Highlights the continuous and unwavering nature of the question.

an enduring question

Stresses the lasting quality of the question, indicating it remains relevant.

a long-standing question

Indicates the question has been around for a considerable period.

a recurring question

Highlights the question's repeated appearance or consideration.

a classic question

Implies the question is well-known and has stood the test of time.

a fundamental question

Highlights that the question relates to essential or foundational aspects.

a universal question

Highlights the applicability of the question across various situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "a timeless question" to introduce a query that has been pondered across generations. For example, "The nature of good and evil is "a timeless question" that continues to challenge humanity."

What is a good alternative to "a timeless question"?

Alternatives include "an age-old question", "a perennial question", or "an enduring question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a timeless question" in informal writing?

While "a timeless question" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, consider whether a simpler phrase might be more appropriate for very casual writing. The key is to ensure the tone matches the content and audience.

What makes a question "timeless"?

A question is considered "timeless" if it remains relevant and significant across different historical periods and cultural contexts, often dealing with fundamental aspects of human existence or the universe.