central question

USAGE SUMMARY

"central question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a particularly important question that you want to highlight among other questions or topics. For example, "What should I do about my career was the central question we discussed at the meeting today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had become the central question there.

The New York Times - Arts

FRANK: Well it's the central question.

The New Yorker

How could he, is the central question?

The Economist

This is the central question.

The Guardian - Music

The central question — what happened?

The New York Times

But a central question remained.

The Guardian

That's the central question of the crisis.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the central question of the movie.

The New Yorker

That's the central question," Mr. Holder said.

The New York Times

The central question will be punishingly direct.

The Guardian

It's a central question about performance.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "central question" to focus the discussion or analysis on the core issue at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "central question" excessively in a single text. If every question is labeled as central, the phrase loses its impact. Reserve it for the truly most important question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important query or issue under consideration. As Ludwig AI also suggests, it helps to spotlight a particularly important question among others.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central question" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to highlight the most important query or issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for drawing attention to a key question among many. Appearing frequently in news, science, and business contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing "central question", ensure it genuinely represents the core issue to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "core question" or "key question" for variety or emphasis. Its consistent usage across authoritative sources underscores its reliability and effectiveness in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core question

This alternative uses "core" instead of "central", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the question.

key question

This option replaces "central" with "key", highlighting the importance of the question.

main question

This phrase employs "main" instead of "central", underscoring the primary focus of inquiry.

primary question

This alternative substitutes "central" with "primary", emphasizing the question's foremost position.

fundamental question

This option replaces "central" with "fundamental", highlighting the foundational nature of the question.

critical question

This version uses "critical" instead of "central", highlighting the essential or crucial aspect of the question.

essential question

This alternative uses "essential" instead of "central", stressing the indispensable nature of the question.

pivotal question

This option replaces "central" with "pivotal", indicating that the question is a turning point or crucial for decision-making.

underlying question

This phrase uses "underlying" to suggest the question is fundamental and needs to be addressed before others.

overarching question

This option replaces "central" with "overarching," suggesting the question encompasses many aspects of a topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "central question" to highlight the most important question being addressed in a particular context. For example, "The "central question" of the debate was whether the proposed policy would actually reduce poverty."

What is a more formal alternative to "central question"?

In more formal settings, consider using "core question" or "primary question" as alternatives to "central question". These options maintain a similar meaning while sounding more professional.

Is "central question" synonymous with "important question"?

While related, "central question" implies that the question is not just important, but also fundamental and key to understanding or resolving an issue. "Important question" is a broader term.

What's the difference between "central question" and "underlying question"?

"Central question" refers to the main question being addressed, while "underlying question" points to a more fundamental, often unstated, question that influences the situation. The "underlying question" might need to be answered before addressing the central one.