core of the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "core of the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main or most important aspect of a question being posed. Example: "To truly understand the issue at hand, we must focus on the core of the question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This has begun, cutting to the core of the question: how did the killers mount such an operation undetected, and how to prevent another?

The Guardian

It's easy for me to go talk to some Spanish journalist I've never met before, because when they ask questions about the past I don't feel like I'm avoiding the core of the question".

The Guardian - Music

The core of the question, then, is if this latest Trump move (if it happens!) will actually break down some of the resistance that he sees from his base.

The Washington Post

"As Michael Lerner and I discussed, we have to first create a language that would better communicate what we are trying to say, and the policies would flow from that language". The problem with the language goes right to the core of the question of what it all means.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the core of the question is what are they like?

Huffington Post

This trade-off is at the core of the question of soft or hard Brexit," she says.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Sean J. Griffith, Corporate Governance in an Era of Compliance 57 Wm. & Mary L. Rev. 2075, 2100-01 (2016) ("Having mapped the common core of compliance, the question of how companies operationalize the basic structure remains.

Columbia University

Of course, the assumptions at the core of that question could easily fall through.

The New York Times

The core of this question is to determine if normocapnia and hypercapnia are two stages of the same disease, or whether they are two different entities.

BMJ Open

The audience at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland booed when it heard Baier say "Common Core" as part of the question.

The Washington Post

"At the core of question about the Newsnight piece on north Wales is a question about the quality of journalism.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "core of the question", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the main question is. This helps maintain clarity and prevents ambiguity in complex discussions.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume you've identified the "core of the question" without thoroughly analyzing all aspects of the discussion. To avoid this, take a step back and ensure that what you consider the core truly addresses the fundamental issue at hand. It is important to not make assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core of the question" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies the central or most important aspect of a question. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

17%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "core of the question" is a grammatically correct and professionally suitable way to emphasize the most important aspect of an inquiry. It's a noun phrase used to direct focus to the fundamental issues being addressed. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Though uncommon, the phrase appears in reputable sources such as The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, primarily within news, scientific, and academic contexts. Related phrases include "heart of the matter" and "crux of the matter". When using this phrase, ensure that the main question is clearly established to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heart of the matter

Focuses on the central issue, similar to focusing on the core.

crux of the matter

Highlights the most critical point, implying a decisive element.

central question

Directly refers to the main question being asked.

key question

Emphasizes the importance of the question.

essence of the query

Refers to the fundamental nature of the inquiry.

nub of the issue

Highlights the central point of a more complex issue.

gist of the problem

Focuses on the main idea of a problem being explored.

pivotal question

Indicates a question that is crucial and decisive.

central theme

Focuses on the primary subject.

underlying issue

Highlights the fundamental issue, which might not be immediately obvious.

FAQs

How can I use "core of the question" in a sentence?

You can use "core of the question" to emphasize the most important aspect of an inquiry, as in "The core of the question is whether we can afford this project".

What can I say instead of "core of the question"?

You can use alternatives like "heart of the matter", "crux of the matter", or "central question" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "core of the question" in formal writing?

Yes, "core of the question" is suitable for formal writing as it is a clear and professional way to highlight the most important aspect of an inquiry. It is used in various contexts including academic, scientific, and news media.

What's the difference between "core of the question" and "underlying issue"?

"Core of the question" refers directly to the central aspect of a question, while "underlying issue" refers to a fundamental problem that may not be immediately apparent but is critical to understanding the situation.