ancillary question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancillary question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a secondary or supplementary question that is related to a main topic or issue. Example: "During the discussion, we addressed the main issue, but we also had time to explore some ancillary questions that arose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

There was also the ancillary question of whether Felt was competent to make that decision".

The Guardian

Alan Eastham, the State Department's special negotiator for conflict diamonds, said the free-trade issue had to be resolved but that it was an ancillary question and would not hold up the initiative.

The New York Times

If you believe that the answer to this question is yes, an ancillary question is at what point is violence acceptable when you are being continually subjected to physical abuse by another person?

Huffington Post

However, any conclusion derived from this approach is confounded by the ancillary question of whether local adaptation to the urban environment predates or arose subsequent to initial lineage splitting between the molecular forms.

BMC Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The other kinds of ancillary questions -- the church is in crisis, they need to start ordaining women or they need to stop ordaining homosexuals -- that is the stuff that makes Catholics say, 'Oh, go away.' " Historically, the subject has had little allure for buyers of books.

The New York Times

Thus, discussions of epigenesis and preformation often bring in other ancillary questions and are difficult to separate from their contexts.

SEP

While it's convenient to dismiss China's veto alliance with Russia as purely ideological, it's nonetheless still important to ask the ancillary questions surrounding China's position: What does China have a stake in?

Huffington Post

Ancillary survey questions included 4 self-reported health literacy questions[ 22], marital status (recoded into married versus unmarried), race (white, African American, other), education (≤ high school, some college, ≥ college graduate), employment status (employed versus not employed) and income (recoded into ≥ $20,000, $20-40,00020-40,00000).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Compliance to the Toolkit After-Death Bereaved Family Member Interview, the ancillary 4 questions for interviewer evaluation and GP's interviews was assessed, alongside adherence to the retrospective chart review.

BMC Palliative Care

Another example of one of the truths about environmentalism: motives may be worthy, but you see the biggest efforts to reduce emissions when the markets make the case for it.Incidentally, the question of ancillary revenues is an interesting one.

The Economist

But answers to these questions are ancillary to the basic tasks confronting Mr. Epstein and the Missile: reconstructing institutions and creating an environment that empowers individuals to make a difference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ancillary question" to introduce related but less critical inquiries within a broader discussion. This helps to organize thoughts and address all pertinent aspects without losing focus on the main issue.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "ancillary question" as the primary focus. Ensure the main topic remains the central point, with ancillary questions serving to enrich or clarify understanding, not to overshadow the key issue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary question" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a secondary inquiry related to a central topic, often to clarify or expand on the main issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to denote a secondary question.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ancillary question" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's a noun phrase used to refer to a secondary or supplementary question that is related to a main topic. While not extremely common, it appears primarily in news, scientific and encyclopedia sources. When writing, remember that an "ancillary question" should enrich the core discussion, not distract from it. Consider alternatives such as "secondary question" or "related question" for nuanced expression. Addressing such questions provides a more complete understanding by revealing underlying issues or complexities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary question

Focuses on the order of importance, indicating a question of lesser priority.

related question

Emphasizes the connection between the main topic and the inquiry.

supplementary question

Highlights the additional nature of the question, providing extra detail.

peripheral question

Suggests the question is on the edge of the main topic, less central.

additional inquiry

Uses a more formal tone, indicating a request for further information.

tangential question

Implies the question diverges slightly from the primary subject.

associated question

Highlights a link to the primary topic without specifying importance.

subsidiary question

Indicates the question is dependent on or subordinate to the main issue.

supporting question

Suggests the question provides evidence or context to the primary topic.

follow-up question

Indicates the question comes after an initial question, expanding on the topic.

FAQs

What does "ancillary question" mean?

An "ancillary question" is a secondary or supplementary question that is related to a main topic or issue. It's often less important than the primary question but still relevant to the overall discussion.

How can I use "ancillary question" in a sentence?

You might say, "The main problem is funding, but an "ancillary question" is how the money will be distributed" or "While the primary focus is on the budget, an "ancillary question" is about staff training."

What can I say instead of "ancillary question"?

You can use alternatives like "secondary question", "related question", or "supplementary question" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to address "ancillary questions"?

While not always essential, addressing "ancillary questions" can provide a more complete understanding of a topic. They often reveal underlying issues or complexities that might otherwise be overlooked.