an excellent question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an excellent question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge and commend someone for asking a thoughtful or insightful question. Example: "Thank you for your inquiry about the project timeline; that is an excellent question that many others have as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But he did not condemn the questioner, instead calling it an "excellent question".

The New York Times

It's an excellent question.

The New Yorker

"That's an excellent question".

The New Yorker

Which is, of course, an excellent question.

The New York Times

"That's an excellent question," Miller said.

The New Yorker

It is an excellent question.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's an excellent question," Mr. Schneider says.

The New York Times

It is an excellent question — the white paper begs it.

The New Yorker

"That is an excellent question," Mrs. Clinton said.

The New York Times

— MS from New York That is an excellent question.

The New York Times

It is an excellent question that requires some thought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an excellent question" to genuinely acknowledge thoughtful inquiries, showing respect for the questioner and encouraging further discussion. It's a simple way to foster a positive and engaging environment.

Common error

Avoid using "an excellent question" flippantly or sarcastically, as this can undermine your credibility and damage rapport. Reserve it for situations where you truly appreciate the insight or thoughtfulness behind the question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an excellent question" functions primarily as an acknowledgment and commendation. It serves to validate the questioner's insight and encourage further exploration of the topic. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used as a preface before providing a more detailed answer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an excellent question" is a frequently used phrase to acknowledge insightful inquiries. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread acceptance. The phrase is versatile, fitting into both neutral and professional contexts, but it is crucial to use it sincerely to avoid undermining its impact. Remember to diversify responses and reserve it for truly thoughtful inquiries to maintain authenticity and foster engaging conversations. Alternative phrases include "a superb question", "a brilliant question", and "an insightful question".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a superb question

Replaces "excellent" with "superb", offering a slightly more emphatic tone.

a brilliant question

Substitutes "excellent" with "brilliant", highlighting the cleverness of the question.

a remarkable question

Uses "remarkable" instead of "excellent", emphasizing the noteworthy quality of the question.

a noteworthy question

Replaces "excellent" with "noteworthy", drawing attention to the importance of the question.

a fine question

Uses "fine" as a more understated synonym for "excellent".

a first-rate question

Replaces "excellent" with the compound adjective "first-rate" for emphasis.

a top-notch question

Uses "top-notch" in place of "excellent", suggesting high quality.

an insightful question

Focuses on the depth and understanding reflected in the question.

a profound question

Highlights the significance and depth of the inquiry.

a well-phrased question

Emphasizes the clarity and articulation of the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "an excellent question" to acknowledge a well-thought-out inquiry. For example, "That's an excellent question; let me explain further" or "You raise an excellent question that deserves a detailed answer."

What are some alternatives to saying "an excellent question"?

Instead of "an excellent question", you could say "a great question", "a brilliant question", or "an insightful question". You could also say "That's a very good point" depending on the context.

Is it ever inappropriate to say "an excellent question"?

Yes, it can be inappropriate if used sarcastically or dismissively. It's best to use the phrase when you genuinely appreciate the question being asked. Overusing it can also diminish its impact, so vary your responses.

What's the difference between "an excellent question" and "a relevant question"?

"An excellent question" implies the question is insightful and thoughtful, while "a relevant question" simply means the question is related to the topic at hand. A question can be relevant without being excellent, and vice versa.