begs the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begs the question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a question that arises from a statement that has been made. For example, the statement "The candidate has the necessary qualifications for the job" begs the question: why isn't the candidate being offered the position?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which begs the question, why?

Independent

"It begs the question, Why?

The New York Times

Which begs the question.

The Guardian - Sport

But again, it begs the question.

The Economist

This begs the question: why then?

The New York Times - Arts

Which begs the question why?

The Guardian - Music

This begs the question, why?

The Washington Post

Well, it begs the question.

The Washington Post

But the argument begs the question.

Cornell University

Miami begs the question; Madrid accepts ambiguity.

The New York Times

But that only begs the question.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the question you introduce is genuinely prompted by the previous statement and not merely a tangentially related inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "begs the question" to mean "raises the question". The phrase technically refers to a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed in the premise. While commonly used to simply mean 'raises a question', be aware that some may perceive it as an error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begs the question" functions as a transitional expression. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces a question directly related to a previous statement, often highlighting an underlying assumption or gap in logic. It acts as a discourse marker, signaling a shift to inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

30%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begs the question" is a common phrase used to introduce a question that arises from a preceding statement. While technically referring to a logical fallacy, it's now widely used to simply mean "raises the question". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While acceptable, it's essential to be aware of the potential for misinterpretation and consider alternatives like ""raises the question"" or "prompts the question" for greater clarity. It is commonly used in news and media as well as academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raises the question

Changes the verb from "begs" to "raises", offering a more direct and neutral tone.

prompts the question

Emphasizes that something triggers or encourages the question.

leads to the question

Focuses on the logical progression from a statement to a question.

gives rise to the question

Suggests that something creates or originates the question.

suggests the question

Indicates that something hints at or implies the question.

invites the question

Implies that something encourages or welcomes the question.

naturally raises the issue of

More formal and emphasizes the inherent connection between the statement and the subsequent issue.

causes one to wonder

Shifts the focus to the internal thought process of the observer.

makes you think

Informal and emphasizes a personal reflection on the matter.

this brings up the point of

Introduces a new subject or idea, suggesting it's worth discussing further.

FAQs

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

Use "begs the question" to introduce a question that arises logically from a preceding statement or situation. For example, "The company's profits increased dramatically, which "raises the question": what strategies led to this success?"

What does "begs the question" actually mean?

While often used to mean "raises the question", the original meaning refers to a logical fallacy. In this fallacy, the conclusion is assumed in the premise. However, its use as simply "raises the question" is now widespread.

What can I say instead of "begs the question"?

You can use alternatives like ""raises the question"", "prompts the question", or "leads to the question" depending on the context.

Is it wrong to use "begs the question" to mean "raises the question"?

Technically, using "begs the question" to mean simply "raises the question" is a loose interpretation. However, this usage is so common that it's generally acceptable, though some may consider it incorrect. Alternatives like ""raises the question"" are less ambiguous.