an easy question

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "an easy question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun phrase to describe a question that is not difficult to answer or understand. Example: "The teacher posed an easy question to the class as a warm-up exercise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not an easy question.

The New York Times

That's not an easy question.

The New Yorker

That's an easy question.

The Guardian

It's not an easy question.

Harvard University

He has never asked an easy question.

The New Yorker

Not an easy question to answer.

The New York Times - Arts

For me, that's not an easy question.

The New York Times

This is not an easy question.

Harvard University

It is not an easy question.

Columbia University

THARP -- This is not an easy question.

The New York Times - Arts

For most people, it's an easy question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an easy question", ensure the context clearly indicates why the question is considered easy, providing necessary background or reference points.

Common error

Avoid labeling every simple inquiry as "an easy question". Use the phrase judiciously for questions that genuinely require minimal effort to answer, not for routine requests.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an easy question" functions as a noun phrase, with "easy" modifying the noun "question". It typically serves as the subject complement or direct object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

22%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an easy question" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a question requiring little effort to answer. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While versatile and appearing across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it's essential to consider the potential for misinterpretation. Using it judiciously, with awareness of the audience and context, ensures clear and effective communication. Related phrases like "a simple question" or "a straightforward question" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple question

Replaces "easy" with "simple", maintaining the same meaning of not complex.

a straightforward question

Substitutes "easy" with "straightforward", indicating a lack of ambiguity.

a basic question

Uses "basic" instead of "easy", suggesting a question that covers fundamental concepts.

a facile question

Employs "facile", which implies superficiality or lack of depth, similar to easiness.

a no-brainer question

Replaces the adjective with an idiom emphasizing obviousness in the answer.

an elementary question

Uses "elementary" to denote a question suitable for beginners.

a undemanding question

Replaces "easy" with "undemanding", focusing on the minimal effort required.

a piece of cake question

Uses a colloquial expression to convey the easiness of the question.

a walk in the park question

Uses a metaphoric expression to convey the easiness of the question.

a cinch question

Uses a colloquial expression to convey the easiness of the question.

FAQs

How can I use "an easy question" in a sentence?

You can use "an easy question" to describe a query that requires little effort to answer, such as "The teacher asked "an easy question" to begin the lesson".

What are some alternatives to "an easy question"?

You can use alternatives like "a simple question", "a straightforward question", or "a basic question" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to call a question "an easy question"?

No, using ""an easy question"" may be perceived as condescending if the question is not genuinely simple for everyone. Consider your audience and the context.

What's the difference between "an easy question" and "a rhetorical question"?

"An easy question" is asked to elicit a simple answer, while "a rhetorical question" is asked for effect and does not require an answer.