burning question

USAGE SUMMARY

"burning question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to a question that is of great importance or urgency. For example: "What will our nation's response be to this crisis? That's the burning question of the hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Article: A burning question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The burning question: Why?

The Washington Post

BUT here's the burning question.

The New York Times - Travel

The burning question: is suncream a scam?

The Times

But they had a burning question.

The New York Times

To what extent is the burning question.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally, I asked the burning question.

The Guardian - Travel

Have a burning question about the "Little House" stories?

The New Yorker

"It's such a burning question when you're adopted," he said.

The New York Times

"I began with a truly burning question," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The burning question, then: can we do better?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "burning question" when you want to emphasize the urgency or importance of a question that needs to be answered. It's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "burning question" is widely understood, consider more formal alternatives like "crucial question" or "primary concern" in academic papers or professional reports to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "burning question" is that of a noun phrase, typically functioning as a subject complement or object. As evidenced by Ludwig, it introduces a question considered important or urgent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burning question" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to emphasize the urgency or importance of a question. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain academic or professional settings. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in news and media, academic, and scientific sources. Related phrases include "crucial question", "pressing question", and "urgent question", each offering a slightly different nuance. When using "burning question", be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial question

Replaces "burning" with "crucial", emphasizing the importance of the question.

pressing question

Substitutes "burning" with "pressing", highlighting the urgency of the question.

urgent question

Uses "urgent" instead of "burning", focusing on the time-sensitive nature of the question.

key question

Replaces "burning" with "key", indicating the question's central importance.

central question

Emphasizes that the question is at the core of the issue, using "central" instead of "burning".

fundamental question

Highlights the foundational nature of the question, using "fundamental" instead of "burning".

critical question

Replaces "burning" with "critical", stressing the importance of the question's impact.

major question

Uses "major" instead of "burning", indicating the question's significant scale.

primary concern

Shifts from a question to a "concern", but maintains the sense of importance.

main issue

Frames the "question" as a central "issue" needing resolution.

FAQs

What does "burning question" mean?

A "burning question" refers to a question that is extremely important and needs to be answered urgently. It implies a sense of pressing concern or curiosity.

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

You can use "burning question" to introduce a significant issue or inquiry. For example, "The "crucial question" is, how do we address climate change?"

What are some alternatives to "burning question"?

Alternatives include "pressing question", "urgent question", or "key question". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "burning question" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "burning question" might be considered too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "primary concern" or "fundamental question" in those situations.