complete question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete question" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a sentence that is structured as a question and is clear and well-defined, with all necessary elements to make it a proper question. For example, "What time is the meeting?" is a complete question. It includes a question word (what), a verb (is), and a subject (meeting). This sentence could be used in a formal email or in a conversation to gather information about the time of a meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Unlike most of the match-ups in this first round, where it's easy just to mark the higher-seeded team as the obvious favorite, this series is a complete question mark.

The Guardian - Sport

But Hannity was barely able to make it through one complete question before turning the conversation into a shouting match.

Huffington Post

The mechanics of presenting appropriate and complete question sets in a logical sequence, recording answers, organizing the note, and transcribing the details into the document are all handled by the software.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

One woman did not complete question 10 of the EPDS and so was not included, leaving 253 women for the remaining analyses (though not all 253 women completed the baseline SF12 - n = 227; ie 90%).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The rubric was retained for question 1 (PICO) except that four additional points were awarded for writing out the complete question, and the scores for questions 2 and 3 were reduced to accommodate the new tick box format (see Table  5).

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Following completion of the intervention participants were asked to complete questions on the acceptability of the trial.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Go to complete questions and results.

The New York Times

Complete questions and results are at nytimes.com/polls.

The New York Times

Complete questions and results are at www.nytimes.com/politics.

The New York Times

Complete questions and results are at nytimes.com/politics.

The New York Times

Complete questions and results are online at nytimes.com/nyregion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complete question", ensure the context clarifies why the question's completeness is relevant. For example, in survey design, it highlights the need for all questions to be fully answered to obtain valid data.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a question is "complete" simply because it's grammatically correct. Ensure it also contains all necessary context and information for the respondent to provide a meaningful answer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete question" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "complete" modifies the noun "question". This signifies a question that is whole, fully formed, and contains all necessary elements. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complete question" refers to a question that is fully formed and contains all necessary elements for understanding and answering it, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively rare, appearing mostly in scientific and news contexts. To ensure clarity, especially in surveys or formal settings, prioritize well-defined and thorough inquiries. Consider using alternative phrases like "fully formed question" or "comprehensive question" for variety. The key is ensuring your question is not only grammatically sound but also provides sufficient context for a meaningful response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully formed question

Emphasizes the structure and completeness of the question.

thorough question

Focuses on the depth and comprehensiveness of the question.

comprehensive question

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the inquiry.

well-defined question

Stresses the clarity and precision of the question.

unabridged question

Indicates that the question has no missing parts.

detailed question

Focuses on the level of specificity in the question.

entire question

Emphasizes that no part of the question is missing.

finished question

Highlights the state of being completed.

full question

Highlights that no part of the question is missing.

elaborate question

Focuses on the complexity and detail included.

FAQs

How can I ensure I'm asking a "complete question"?

A "complete question" includes all necessary information for the respondent to understand what is being asked. Verify that the subject, verb, and object are clear, and the context is sufficient for a relevant answer.

Is there a difference between a "complete question" and a "thorough question"?

While both terms relate to the quality of a question, "complete question" refers to its grammatical structure and inclusion of all necessary parts, whereas a "thorough question" implies depth and comprehensiveness in the inquiry.

What's an example of an incomplete question, and how can it be made a "complete question"?

An incomplete question might be 'What about the project?' To make it a "complete question", you could ask '"What is the status of the project"?' providing a clearer subject and context.

When is it important to ask a "complete question"?

It's crucial to ask a "complete question" in situations where clarity is paramount, such as in surveys, legal proceedings, or academic research, to avoid ambiguity and ensure accurate responses.