an impending question

USAGE SUMMARY

'an impending question' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a question that has yet to be asked, but which is likely to happen soon. For example, "The students felt an impending question as the teacher narrowed her gaze."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The distinction between primo-vessels and lymphatic vessels has been an impending question because of the similarities of these morphological characteristics.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The impending question is whether the demand of signal technicians can be met in the future or not.

Urban Rail Transit

Clearly, we cannot hold only Mr. Bush accountable when it comes to the question of an impending draft.

The New York Times

Spanish authorities for their part reportedly talk of raising the question at an impending visit to Argentina by Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, where the issue could be united to the Argentine claim over the British-ruled Falkland Islands, according to Spanish newspapers Monday.

Los Angeles Times

And in recent days, people talked nonstop about new anxieties and questions over an impending American attack.

The New York Times

The vast majority of new federal student loans would cost more under a Democratic proposal being pushed as a compromise to avert an impending student debt deadline, raising questions about lawmakers' commitment to keeping borrowing costs low for students and their families.

Huffington Post

While he was one of the first regulators to smartly articulate the potential for an impending disaster, a number of observers question whether he went far enough to stop the calamity.

The New York Times

Earlier this month, in what seemed to hint at an impending climbdown, she responded to a question in the House of Lords by referring to "the most likely sites for the five or 10 ecotowns".

The Guardian - Arts

Usually the question was about an impending Tube strike or the huge disruption his union had caused with a strike.

BBC

But officials, while expressing condolences, refuse to answer questions on the advice of lawyers, because of an impending lawsuit.

The New York Times

The "individual" in question is Mormon author Julie Rowe, who claims to have seen visions of an impending apocalypse after a near-death experience in 2004.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "upcoming question" or "anticipated question" if you want a more common or less formal tone.

Common error

While "impending" adds a sense of weight, be cautious not to use "an impending question" in very casual settings. It can sound overly dramatic or formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "coming question" or "next question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an impending question" functions as a noun phrase, where "impending" modifies "question". It serves to identify a question that is anticipated or is about to arise. Ludwig AI validates this usage, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an impending question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a question that is anticipated or likely to arise soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English, though it leans towards a neutral to professional register. While not extremely common, it effectively signals an issue that requires attention. For contexts where a more immediate concern is paramount, alternatives like "an urgent question" might be more fitting. Conversely, for less formal situations, "an upcoming question" provides a suitable substitute. Remember to consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use "an impending question".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an anticipated question

Replaces 'impending' with 'anticipated', suggesting the question is expected.

an upcoming question

Uses 'upcoming' in place of 'impending', referring to a question that will be presented soon.

a pending question

Uses 'pending' instead of 'impending', suggesting the question is waiting to be addressed.

an immediate question

Substitutes 'impending' with 'immediate', indicating the question needs to be addressed promptly.

a forthcoming question

Substitutes 'impending' with 'forthcoming', meaning the question is about to appear or be presented.

an incoming question

Uses 'incoming' instead of 'impending', implying the question is about to be received or posed.

a looming question

Replaces 'impending' with 'looming' highlighting the question's threatening or concerning nature.

an urgent question

Replaces 'impending' with 'urgent', emphasizing the importance and need for a quick response.

a brewing question

Uses 'brewing' in place of 'impending', suggesting the question is developing or becoming more prominent.

a gathering question

Replaces 'impending' with 'gathering', implying the question is accumulating importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "an impending question" to refer to a question that is likely to be asked or considered soon. For instance, "The lawyers knew "an impending question" about the witness's credibility would arise during the cross-examination".

What are some alternatives to "an impending question"?

Alternatives include "an upcoming question", "an anticipated question", or "a pending question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an impending question" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "an impending question" is more suited for formal or analytical writing. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "a question that's coming up" or "the next question".

What's the difference between "an impending question" and "an immediate question"?

"An impending question" suggests a question that is about to arise or be considered, whereas "an immediate question" implies a question that needs to be addressed right away. The former focuses on anticipation, while the latter emphasizes urgency.