acute question

USAGE SUMMARY

"acute question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a question that has an especially pressing or crucial importance. Example: The President faced an acute question at the press conference - what would be the best strategy to restore economic stability?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But whether he should be doing this has recently become a more acute question.

The Guardian

But once they all had died, there was an acute question regarding the locus of authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Malcolm Savidge Aberdeen  Your leader raises the acute question as to whether two of the committee members ought to disqualify themselves.

The Guardian

(I am waiving here, of course, the larger question of the cruelty and bad environmental practices of the supermarket turkey, only raising the lesser but acute question of how it tastes).

The New Yorker

Apparently, de Gaulle does not think it useful to fight against Communism in the name of any ideology, even a denunciation of capitalism, since mere capitalism is no longer the acute question.

The New Yorker

Farmland biodiversity provides ecological services that support food production, but the spatial scale(s) at which its management should be implemented is an acute question today.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Brit Hume asks acute questions, listens to the answers, and usually tries to be balanced.

The New Yorker

He attended the morning panels, listened intently, and near the conclusion of many he rose to ask acute questions.

The New Yorker

Privacy, staged at the Donmar last year, which explored the digital age and the surveillance state, posed a lot of acute questions.

The Guardian

But in a country wounded by terrorists and preparing for war, young Muslim Americans are finding that real life has raised especially acute questions for them about competing values of allegiance and faith.

The New York Times

What complicates the media's picture – and what historians have only recently begun to reconstruct – is that behind the surface image of angry "hate whitey" spokesmen preaching violent retribution, black power was a movement posing a number of acute questions about the failures of American society, and offering some creative answers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acute question" when you want to emphasize the urgency or critical importance of a question that needs to be addressed promptly.

Common error

Avoid using "acute" solely to describe the severity of a situation without an associated question or inquiry. "Acute" implies a pressing question that needs to be answered, not just a severe condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "acute" modifies the noun "question". It emphasizes the urgency, importance, or critical nature of the inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acute question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, typically employed to denote a question of pressing or crucial importance. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian, The New Yorker, and Encyclopedia Britannica, often within news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the urgency or critical nature of the question at hand. Alternatives include "urgent query" and "pressing matter".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key question

Focuses on the centrality and importance of the question.

burning question

Implies widespread interest and debate surrounding the question.

urgent query

Emphasizes the need for a prompt response or resolution.

pressing matter

Focuses on the urgency and need for immediate attention.

critical inquiry

Highlights the importance of a thorough investigation.

vital consideration

Shifts focus to the essential nature of the topic.

important issue

Broadens the scope to a general point of significance.

serious issue

Highlights the gravity and potential consequences of the question.

significant problem

Highlights the seriousness of the situation being questioned.

crucial problem

Emphasizes the importance of the problem

FAQs

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

You can use "acute question" to highlight a pressing or crucial issue that needs to be addressed. For example: "The company's financial crisis raised an acute question about its long-term viability."

What is a synonym for "acute question"?

Alternatives to "acute question" include "urgent query", "pressing matter", or "burning question", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "acute question" or "important question"?

While both are valid, "acute question" suggests a more immediate and critical need for resolution than simply an "important question".

What distinguishes an "acute question" from a "difficult question"?

An "acute question" implies urgency and significance, whereas a "difficult question" simply suggests a challenge in finding an answer, regardless of its importance.