address a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "address a question" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to respond or give an answer to a question. Example: During the press conference, the spokesperson addressed a question from a reporter about the company's financial outlook.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The students in the center are the only ones allowed to address a question.

The New York Times

I work in cycles to address a question or an unknown.

The New York Times - Arts

An unpublicized part of "Some sweet day" was Mr. Lemon's request that the artists address a question in their work: What is black music?

The New York Times - Arts

The dissenters in each case accused the majority of manipulating the judicial process to address a question not properly before the court.

The New York Times

A shaman may address a question in thought to his "helping spirit" and then experience ideas that are interpreted as the spirit's response to the question.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I wish that Mayer would address a question that has been obvious to me from the start: Has James Comey been compromised?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Code" also addresses a question that has been discussed less often.

The New Yorker

Cardiologists say the study addresses a question that plagues them: How low should cholesterol go?

The New York Times

If I could start by addressing a question of Justice Souter with respect to the standards.

The New York Times

The 5-to-4 decision addressed a question that, surprisingly, had gone unresolved for decades.

The New York Times

Later, when a moderator addressed a question to him, he put his head down and mumbled an answer.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "address a question" when you want to convey a formal or professional tone in responding to an inquiry or issue. This phrase is suitable for reports, presentations, and formal discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "address a question" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "answer" or "respond" to maintain a natural and relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "address a question" functions as a verb phrase, where "address" acts as a transitive verb taking "a question" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The examples in Ludwig show it in contexts where someone is responding to or dealing with an inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "address a question" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone is responding to or dealing with a query. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While "answer a question" is a simpler alternative, "address a question" conveys a more formal and professional tone. When using this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality. Also be mindful to avoid its overuse in informal conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

answer a question

This alternative is more direct and focuses on providing a response.

respond to a question

This suggests a more immediate or reactive reply.

tackle a question

This implies dealing with a challenging or complex question.

consider a question

This suggests giving thought to a question before responding.

discuss a question

This implies exploring a question with others.

examine a question

This suggests a careful and detailed investigation of a question.

investigate a question

This implies a more formal and thorough inquiry into a question.

resolve a question

This focuses on finding a solution or answer to a question.

clarify a question

This emphasizes making a question more understandable.

comment on a question

This suggests offering an opinion or remark about a question.

FAQs

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

You can use "address a question" to indicate that someone is responding to or dealing with a specific query. For example: "The speaker will "address a question" from the audience after the presentation".

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

You can use alternatives like "answer a question", "respond to a question", or "tackle a question" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to "address a question" or "answer a question"?

"Address a question" tends to be more formal than "answer a question". The former is often used in professional or academic settings, while the latter is more common in everyday conversation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "address a question"?

The phrase "address a question" is appropriate in formal settings, such as meetings, presentations, and written reports. It is suitable when you want to convey a sense of seriousness and thoroughness in dealing with a question or issue.