amend the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amend the question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest changing or modifying a question for clarity or relevance. Example: "If the original question is unclear, please feel free to amend the question to better suit the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Explaining the Electoral Commission's recommendation to amend the question, its chair Jenny Watson said: "Any referendum question must be as clear as possible so that voters understand the important choice they are being asked to make.

Independent

The Prime Minister's spokeswoman confirmed the Government had decided to accept the recommendation from the Electoral Commission to amend the question so it no longer involve 'Yes' and 'No' answers.

Independent

The Government will now amend the question to the Commission's recommendation: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?" The responses would be "Remain a member of the European Union" or "Leave the European Union" if the amended question is accepted by MPs when they return on September 7.

Independent

Peers voted by 245 votes to 158 to amend the question on the ballot paper, meaning the issue will return to the Commons for further discussion.

BBC

She lets him in, they have their token drink, then things get rated X". "How can I see the video?" Stanley asked and just as soon realized he'd better amend the question to forestall the laughter of the marines watching through the two-way mirror.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

We amended the question to ask, "Would you like professional assistance with this topic?" with four response options: (1) "Not needed"; (2) "Not sure"; (3) "Needed, already provided"; or (4) "Needed, not provided".

Autism

Dr Judith Gould, who works at the Lorna Wing Centre for Autism, is amending the questions asked of girls during the diagnosis process.

Vice

Dr. Judith Gould, who works at the Lorna Wing Center for Autism, is amending the questions asked of girls during the diagnosis process.

Vice

The government shut down Labor's call for a royal commission, successfully amending the motion to instead question why Labor had not instituted an inquiry when it was in government.

The Guardian - Business

The latest update of this Cochrane review in 2011 amended the research question and compared RCTs versus concurrently controlled non-randomised trials and excluded historically controlled ones.

BMJ Open

Assemblyman Steve Sanders of Manhattan, who is chairman of the education committee, told The Times Union of Albany that it was "not out of the question" to amend the budget schedule for districts, although he proposed no legislation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When seeking feedback, use "amend the question" to signal a willingness to refine your inquiry based on initial responses, leading to a more productive discussion.

Common error

While "amend the question" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for synonyms like "revise" or "reformulate" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amend the question" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of changing or modifying a question. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "amend the question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that suggests modifying a question for improved clarity or relevance. While Ludwig identifies it as relatively rare, it appears in diverse contexts such as news media, scientific research, and general discussions. When writing, consider if the formality of your document requires a synonym such as "revise" or "reformulate". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is perfectly acceptable and provides alternative options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Revise the question

Focuses on improving the question's wording or clarity.

Modify the question

Suggests making alterations to the question, possibly for greater precision.

Alter the question

Implies a change to the question, potentially a significant one.

Reframe the question

Highlights a shift in perspective or approach to the question.

Adjust the question

Suggests a minor correction or adaptation to the question.

Change the question

A general term for making the question different.

Adapt the question

Emphasizes making the question suitable for a new situation or audience.

Rephrase the question

Indicates rewording the question for better understanding.

Rewrite the question

Suggests creating a new version of the question.

Reformulate the question

Implies a thorough reworking of the question's structure and content.

FAQs

How can I use "amend the question" in a sentence?

You can use "amend the question" to suggest modifying a question for clarity or relevance. For example, "If the original question is unclear, please feel free to "amend the question" to better suit the discussion."

What can I say instead of "amend the question"?

You can use alternatives such as "revise the question", "modify the question", or "rephrase the question" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to "amend the question"?

It's appropriate to "amend the question" when the original wording is ambiguous, doesn't yield the desired information, or needs to be adapted to a specific situation.

Is "amend the question" formal or informal?

"Amend the question" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "revise the question" may be preferred in certain situations.