benign questions

USAGE SUMMARY

"benign questions" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase usually refers to questions which are kind and polite. For example, "The professor asked a few benign questions before going into a more complicated lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Grey coolly fielded benign questions from a deferential prosecutor.

The New York Times

His interrogating style was a sequence of apparently benign questions followed by a sudden ambush.

The New York Times

One group was invited to initiate discussions, while the other followed up with hopelessly benign questions.

The Guardian

I asked benign questions and searched for records that allowed information to seep out about customs, household rituals, job patterns, prayers.

The New York Times

Curiously, Williams deflected and dodged mostly benign questions when meeting with reporters; at one point, he challenged a reporter's premise that Williams and Derek Jeter were friends, asking, "How do you know that?" Outfielder Darren Bragg was designated for assignment to make room for Williams.

The New York Times - Sports

"Don't go on a show with a woman who will give benign questions, lead you to the answers and not follow up when you don't answer properly.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But even a seemingly benign question can be difficult for some people to ask.

The New York Times

It appears to be a strong reaction to what is, on the surface, a relatively benign question.

University of California, Berkeley

But Gaudio hinted at the lingering spat when asked a benign question about the differences between himself and Coria during yesterday's news conference.

The New York Times - Sports

When he visited the Cedro dorm, on January 30th, the forty or so students gathered around him in the recreation room often asked the kinds of benign question posed to celebrities on TV shows: Did he miss computer science?

The New Yorker

And keep in mind just how dangerous even unthreatening questions can be: Mr. Romney caused a huge stir in July with a simple — and factual — answer to a benign question about the London Olympics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "benign questions" when you want to emphasize that the questions being asked are not intended to be harmful or intrusive, but rather gentle and harmless inquiries.

Common error

Avoid using "benign questions" when you actually mean the questions are naive or simplistic. "Benign" focuses on the harmless nature of the questions, while "naive" implies a lack of awareness or understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "benign questions" functions as a noun phrase, where "benign" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "questions". Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "benign questions" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe questions that are harmless and non-threatening. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While not extremely common, its usage is frequent enough to be considered familiar. It's essential to choose this phrase when emphasizing the gentle and non-intrusive nature of the inquiries, differentiating it from questions that might be perceived as naive or confrontational. Alternatives such as "harmless questions" or "gentle questions" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

harmless questions

Focuses on the lack of potential harm in the questions.

inoffensive questions

Highlights the questions' lack of potential to cause offense.

innocuous questions

Emphasizes the questions' lack of significance or potential impact.

gentle questions

Describes the questions as being mild and considerate in nature.

mild questions

Focuses on the moderate or subdued nature of the questions.

friendly questions

Highlights the amiable and approachable nature of the questions.

sympathetic questions

Describes the questions as showing understanding and concern.

positive questions

Emphasizes the constructive and optimistic nature of the questions.

unassuming questions

Highlights that the questions do not appear pretentious or arrogant.

superficial questions

Indicates that the questions are concerned with only the obvious or apparent.

FAQs

What does "benign questions" mean?

"Benign questions" refers to questions that are harmless, gentle, and not intended to cause offense or difficulty. They are typically simple and straightforward.

How can I use "benign questions" in a sentence?

You might say, "The interviewer started with a few "benign questions" to put the candidate at ease."

What are some alternatives to "benign questions"?

Alternatives include "harmless questions", "inoffensive questions", or "gentle questions" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Are "benign questions" always appropriate?

While generally safe, even seemingly "benign questions" can sometimes be inappropriate depending on the context and the relationship between the people involved. Consider your audience.