an important question

USAGE SUMMARY

"an important question" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing a topic, issue, or problem that requires careful consideration or discussion. Example: "During the press conference, the journalist asked an important question about the government's response to the recent natural disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is an important question.

The Economist

The lists lead to an important question.

The New York Times

Which leads us to an important question.

Independent

Wrong, but an important question, is okay.

The Economist

This is an important question indeed.

The New York Times

This is an important question.

The Guardian - Opinion

Left unanswered was an important question.

The New York Times - Food

Their anger raises an important question.

The Guardian

This is actually an important question.

The New York Times

But it does raise an important question.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I forgot to ask you an important question.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase in academic writing, ensure that the question directly relates to your thesis or research objectives, highlighting its relevance to your study.

Common error

Avoid starting too many paragraphs with "an important question", as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure by occasionally stating the question directly or using alternative introductory phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an important question" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling the introduction of a significant inquiry or issue. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a common way to highlight a point that needs careful consideration. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use across various contexts to draw attention to key issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an important question" is a versatile phrase used to introduce significant inquiries across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to emphasize the criticality of the subsequent content, inviting deeper engagement. While most common in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When writing, be mindful of overusing it in introductory paragraphs, and leverage the provided alternatives to enhance sentence variety. The frequency with which it appears underlines its function as a valuable tool for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crucial question

Emphasizes the critical nature of the question.

a significant inquiry

Replaces "question" with a more formal term, "inquiry", stressing the importance.

a key issue

Shifts focus from a question to the underlying problem or matter.

a central concern

Highlights the core worry or point of interest.

a pressing matter

Conveys a sense of urgency and importance.

a vital consideration

Emphasizes the necessity of thinking about something.

a weighty problem

Stresses the seriousness and difficulty of the issue.

a noteworthy query

Substitutes "important" with "noteworthy", indicating something worth paying attention to.

a relevant point

Highlights the pertinence and significance of the statement.

a fundamental problem

Focuses on the basic or essential nature of the difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "an important question" to introduce a critical point or inquiry that needs to be addressed. For instance, "An important question is whether the new policy will effectively reduce crime rates."

What are some alternatives to "an important question"?

You can use alternatives like "a crucial question", "a significant inquiry", or "a key issue" to convey the same meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "an important question"?

No, it's not always necessary. Sometimes, the importance of a question can be implied through the context and the subsequent discussion. However, explicitly stating it can help to emphasize its significance.

What's the difference between "an important question" and "an interesting question"?

While both phrases introduce a question, "an important question" highlights the significance and potential impact of the question, whereas "an interesting question" simply suggests that the question is intriguing or thought-provoking.