bears the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"bears the question" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used when something prompts or requires a question. For example: His silence during the meeting bears the question, why isn't he speaking?.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The reviewed literature on chaplaincy has indeed shown that the incorporation of religious diversity bears the question of how to apply a legal construct – shaped on the 'model' of cooperation with the Christian churches - to religious newcomers.

Comparative Migration Studies

Resolving 1 many and many:many relations bears the question of what a true ortholog is.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

The apparent diversity of processing pathways bears the question to what extent the read patterns in RNA-seq datasets contain information on the processing of particular RNAs.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By the time he was in the building, the Vikings Webb site bore the question: Are You Ready 4 Some Football?

The New York Times - Sports

These associations bear the question whether gene length, the methylation status of genes, and/or the propensity for splicing are indicators of evolutionary sequence conservation.

BMC Genomics

But unlike the stage theorist, the relationalist claims that there is a single object that directly bears the properties in question, the time index qualifying the property and not the subject of predication.

SEP

This bears on the question of whether a planet is inhabited (see article).

The Economist

But it in no way bears on the question of eliminating "don't ask, don't tell".

The New York Times

The issue of Blair's religious beliefs matters, because it bears on the question of how he changed during his time in office as a political leader.

The New Yorker

And no scientist least of all Dr Giulivi is suggesting that the new study bears on the question of environmental triggers of mitochondrial malfunction.

The Economist

But I'd invite readers to point us to any research that bears on the question, one way or the other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bears the question" when you want to express that a situation or observation naturally leads to a specific inquiry or raises a point for further consideration. It's best suited for formal or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "bears the question" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "raises the question" or "makes you wonder" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bears the question" functions as a connector linking a situation or observation to a resulting question. As Ludwig highlights, it signifies that something prompts or requires a question.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bears the question" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that a situation or observation naturally leads to a specific question or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness. While primarily found in formal and scientific contexts, as indicated by its usage in sources like The New York Times and academic publications, the phrase is relatively rare in general usage. Alternatives such as ""raises the question"" or "prompts the question" may be more suitable for informal settings. When employing "bears the question", consider whether a more accessible or common alternative might enhance clarity for a broader audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raises the question

Replaces "bears" with "raises", focusing on the act of bringing up a question rather than implying a burden or responsibility.

prompts the question

Substitutes "bears" with "prompts", highlighting the action of initiating or suggesting the question.

begs the question

Uses "begs" instead of "bears", often implying that the question is already assumed in the premise, sometimes carrying a nuance of logical fallacy.

invites the question

Replaces "bears" with "invites", suggesting that the situation naturally leads to the question being asked.

calls for the question

Changes "bears" to "calls for", emphasizing the necessity or demand for the question to be addressed.

gives rise to the question

Emphasizes the origin of the question, with "gives rise to" indicating the cause or source of the inquiry.

poses the question

Swaps "bears" for "poses", focusing on the act of formally presenting or introducing the question.

suggests the question

Uses "suggests" instead of "bears", softening the implication of necessity and indicating a hint or gentle prompting of the question.

leads to the question

Emphasizes the sequential relationship, where the initial situation "leads to" the natural emergence of the question.

provokes the question

Replaces "bears" with "provokes", highlighting the stimulating or instigating nature of the initial situation in raising the question.

FAQs

What does "bears the question" mean?

"Bears the question" means that something prompts or gives rise to a specific question. It suggests that the situation or subject at hand naturally leads to an inquiry or invites further consideration.

How can I use "bears the question" in a sentence?

You can use "bears the question" when you want to indicate that something is prompting or necessitating a particular question. For example, "The lack of clear evidence "raises the question" of whether the hypothesis is valid."

What are some alternatives to "bears the question"?

Alternatives to "bears the question" include phrases like ""raises the question"", "prompts the question", or "invites the question", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "bears the question" formal or informal?

"Bears the question" is generally considered a formal expression and is more commonly found in academic, scientific, or analytical writing. In more casual contexts, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.