an idle question

USAGE SUMMARY

"an idle question" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of situations when you are referring to a question that is unimportant, frivolous, or pointless. For example: "The lawyer dismissed his client's question as an idle question, not worth discussing further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This is not an idle question.

The New York Times

WHAT makes people psychopaths is not an idle question.

The Economist

But for how much longer?It is not an idle question.

The Economist

But the superiority of cellphone speech-recognition technology is not an idle question.

The New York Times - Tech

This is not an idle question; the parole board is a busy place.

The New York Times

This is not an idle question: While Turkey has a decent record of getting girls through school, it has an appalling record of getting women to work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This is not an idle comment.

Huffington Post

This is not an idle query.

Los Angeles Times

Six, seven, or, maybe, eight years ago, as Joel Coen remembers it, that seemingly idle question about an unlucky singer in a hypothetical encounter at what used to be a real club called Gerde's Folk City started bothering Mr. Coen, who writes and directs off-center movies with his brother, Ethan.

The New York Times

It was no idle question.

The Economist

This is no idle question.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an idle question" when you want to dismiss a query as unimportant or irrelevant to the current discussion. It's particularly effective in formal writing to maintain a professional tone while subtly downplaying a question's significance.

Common error

Avoid using "an idle question" when addressing serious or sensitive topics, as it can come across as dismissive and disrespectful. Choose more neutral language to acknowledge the question without minimizing its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an idle question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI provides examples where it is used to dismiss a query as unimportant, highlighting its role in evaluating the significance of a question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an idle question" is a noun phrase used to describe a question that is deemed unimportant or irrelevant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. While it can be useful for dismissing trivial queries, be cautious of the dismissive tone it conveys, particularly in sensitive discussions. Alternatives like "a pointless query" or "a trivial inquiry" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to avoid undermining potentially important inquiries. This guidance helps ensure effective and appropriate use of "an idle question" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pointless query

Replaces "question" with "query" and "idle" with "pointless", emphasizing the lack of purpose.

a trivial inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry" and "idle" with "trivial", highlighting the insignificance of the question.

an inconsequential question

Replaces "idle" with "inconsequential", focusing on the lack of importance.

a frivolous question

Replaces "idle" with "frivolous", suggesting the question is lighthearted and not serious.

a meaningless question

Replaces "idle" with "meaningless", emphasizing the lack of substance or purpose.

an unimportant question

Substitutes "idle" with "unimportant", directly stating the lack of significance.

a superficial question

Replaces "idle" with "superficial", indicating a lack of depth or serious consideration.

a rhetorical question

This implies that the question doesn't need an answer.

a casual question

This implies that the question wasn't planned, and lacks depth.

a speculative question

This implies that the question is based on guesses and lacks foundation.

FAQs

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

You can use "an idle question" to describe a question that is not worth considering or that has no real purpose. For example: "The committee dismissed his suggestion as "an idle question"".

What's a good alternative to saying "an idle question"?

Alternatives to "an idle question" include "a pointless query", "a trivial inquiry", or "an unimportant question", each emphasizing the lack of significance in a slightly different way.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an idle question"?

It is appropriate to use "an idle question" when you want to indicate that a question is not serious, relevant, or worth pursuing. However, be mindful of the context and avoid using it in situations where the question might be important to someone.

Is "an idle question" the same as "a rhetorical question"?

No, "an idle question" is not the same as "a rhetorical question". An idle question is one deemed unimportant, while a rhetorical question is asked for effect and does not require an answer.