clear question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a question that is straightforward and easy to understand. Example: "In order to get the best response, make sure to ask a clear question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

That is the clear question.

The Guardian - Sport

One reasonably clear question could be whether Ms. Harris acted on a misinterpretation of the law.

The New York Times

"For Mind Change there is no answer as such, because there is no clear question or goal".

The Guardian

Mr. Banks said the Hurell-Harring case raised a clear question for the courts — "whether Gideon and the right to counsel has meaning or not".

The New York Times

This says that Quebec, or any other province, could secede from Canada only if a "clear" majority voted yes to a "clear" question (neither is defined).

The Economist

Langton said "one clear question" was needed, which removed racist powers in the constitution and created a mechanism for Indigenous people to have a voice in parliament.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Clear questions have been raised in response but no final code yet produced.

The Guardian

But the Amex situation raises clear questions about whether such arrangements are tenable amid such intense competition.

The New York Times

Though the collapse raised clear questions about the supervision of the job, the Buildings Department shut down the site for only three days.

The New York Times

"There are a number of clear questions that need to be asked," Jenkins wrote.

BBC

"There should be clear questions, not leading questions.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, ensure your research question is a "clear question" so your paper maintains a focused and well-defined scope.

Common error

Ensure your question is not overly broad or ambiguous; a vague question can lead to unfocused answers that don't address your core concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear question" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'clear' modifies the noun 'question'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from legal matters to scientific research, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear question" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the importance of clarity and directness in inquiries. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and serves the communicative purpose of highlighting the need for precision in questioning across various contexts. The phrase appears commonly in News & Media and Scientific sources, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure your questions are specific, concise, and use accessible language to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unambiguous inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "clear" with "unambiguous", emphasizing the lack of potential for misinterpretation.

precise question

Replaces "clear" with "precise", highlighting the exactness and accuracy of the question.

straightforward query

Substitutes "question" with "query" and "clear" with "straightforward", indicating directness and simplicity.

explicit inquiry

Changes "question" to "inquiry" and "clear" to "explicit", focusing on the directness and lack of ambiguity.

understandable question

Focuses on the question's comprehensibility, making it easy to grasp.

easily understood question

Rephrases "clear" to emphasize the ease of understanding the question's meaning.

evident question

Replaces clear with evident which focuses on the visibility of a question.

well-defined problem

Shifts the focus from questioning to problem-solving, suggesting the question helps frame a well-defined problem.

apparent question

Switches out "clear" to "apparent", emphasizing how easily the question can be understood by most people.

articulate question

Shifts the focus to the formulation of the question being expressed in a clear and effective way.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear question" when you want to emphasize that a question is easy to understand and direct. For example, "The survey requires a "clear question" to elicit accurate responses."

What are some alternatives to "clear question"?

You can use alternatives like "unambiguous inquiry", "straightforward query", or "precise question" depending on the context.

Why is it important to ask a "clear question"?

Asking a "clear question" ensures that the respondent understands exactly what is being asked, leading to more accurate and relevant answers. Ambiguous questions can result in confusion and unreliable data.

What makes a question "clear"?

A question is "clear" when it is specific, concise, and uses language that the target audience can easily understand. Avoid jargon, complex phrasing, and double negatives to ensure clarity.