an enduring question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an enduring question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that remains relevant or significant over time, often in philosophical or academic discussions. Example: "The nature of existence is an enduring question that has puzzled thinkers for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

THE profitability of slavery is an enduring question of economic history.

The Economist

Dr. Hacker could make no estimate of civilian deaths, an enduring question among historians, "because the overall number is too small relative to the overall number of soldiers killed".

The New York Times - Science

Deep in his history lies a particular tenderness toward his mother, who has posed, since his boyhood, an enduring question: "Who are you today, Will Testerman?" As the query suggests, the answer varies day by day.

The New York Times - Books

Words that seem socially and politically charged today were already resonating through "The Merchant of Venice," a play so deeply rooted in an enduring question -- how should justice, mercy and vengeance be balanced?

The New York Times - Arts

Yet as much as this book fiercely inhabits our shared online reality, it operates most powerfully on a deeper level, posing an enduring question about American values — is it worth leaving a perfectly good life to grab a chance for something more?

The New York Times - Books

"Does politics matter" is an enduring question in urban studies.

Cities

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The origin of the first living cells is an intriguing and enduring question at the heart of evolutionary theory.

Accounts of Chemical Research

Yet even if Trump's rise has compelled many Muslims to get more politically engaged, some remain guarded about taking their views to the streets, a testament to the enduring question of just how confrontational Muslims feel they can be in the United States.

Vice

Another enduring question that was illuminated by a comparative genome analysis strategy was the nature of the DNA in the eukaryotic nucleus.

Rice

But the Rubells are shrewd and unorthodox collectors, and the presentation raises some big points – above all, the enduring question of how women artists building on a male-dominated history of art should depict their own sex.

The Guardian - Arts

MIAMI — Imagine a tabloid talk show like "Maury" distilled to its essence: the enduring question, "are you the father?" That's sort of what CBS Television Distribution is imagining its next daytime talk show, "The Test," to be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an enduring question", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the question has remained relevant or unresolved over a significant period. Provide background or examples to highlight its lasting importance.

Common error

Avoid using "an enduring question" for issues that are relatively recent or whose long-term relevance is not yet established. Using it prematurely can weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an enduring question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It characterizes a particular question as one that has persisted over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

54%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an enduring question" is a phrase used to describe a query that has remained relevant and unresolved over a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It commonly appears in formal contexts like academic and scientific writing and news media, emphasizing the prolonged importance of a topic. While phrases like "a lasting question" or "a perennial question" can serve as alternatives, using "an enduring question" effectively requires a clear demonstration of the question's long-term significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lasting question

Replaces "enduring" with "lasting", emphasizing the duration of the question's relevance.

a persistent question

Substitutes "enduring" with "persistent", highlighting the question's continuous presence and recurrence.

a perennial question

Replaces "enduring" with "perennial", suggesting the question returns regularly and is consistently relevant.

a timeless question

Changes "enduring" to "timeless", indicating that the question transcends specific time periods.

a recurring question

Emphasizes the repeated appearance of the question, replacing "enduring" with "recurring".

a long-standing question

Replaces "enduring" with "long-standing", focusing on the question's established presence over a considerable time.

an age-old question

Substitutes "enduring" with "age-old", conveying the question's ancient or very old origins.

a classic question

Changes "enduring" to "classic", implying that the question is well-known and has lasting significance.

a fundamental question

Replaces "enduring" with "fundamental", highlighting the question's basic or essential nature.

a continuing question

Substitutes "enduring" with "continuing", stressing that the question is still being actively considered.

FAQs

How do I use "an enduring question" in a sentence?

"An enduring question" is used to describe a query that has remained relevant over time, often in academic, philosophical, or historical contexts. For example, "The profitability of slavery is "an enduring question" of economic history."

What can I say instead of "an enduring question"?

You can use alternatives like "a lasting question", "a persistent question", or "a perennial question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an enduring question" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an enduring question" is generally more suited to formal or academic writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "a long-standing question" or "a question that remains" might be more appropriate.

What makes a question "enduring"?

A question is considered "enduring" when it continues to be relevant and debated over a long period, often because it addresses fundamental aspects of human existence, knowledge, or values. It usually lacks a definitive answer and sparks ongoing inquiry.