definitive question

USAGE SUMMARY

"definitive question" is an appropriate phrase that can be used in written English.
For example: "The definitive question for many investors is whether to place their money in stocks or bonds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question: yes or no?

The Guardian

"Let us also remember why it was right to ask the definitive question, Yes or No. "Because now the debate has been settled for a generation or as Alex Salmond has said, perhaps for a lifetime.

BBC

Louis Sullivan, father of the American skyscraper, posed the definitive question about that new architectural form back in 1896: "What is the chief characteristic of the tall office building?" he asked in an essay titled "The Tall Building Artfully Considered".

Huffington Post

Of course, the definitive question of "where does sketchiness lie?" is answered by the difference between the normal distribution of clarity and honesty made and expected by the average American vs. the distribution of the same by "influencers".

Huffington Post

Therefore selecting the single, definitive question is strategic.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While always boring, to some extent, great duration works depend upon a profound mirroring of technique and ontology to allow us to ruminate on definitive questions of both cinema and existence: desire and boredom, what lasts and what we will wait for.

Huffington Post

Definitive questions about these issues are posed for cooperative effort and resolution by water chemists, engineers, and epidemiologists.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Bottom line: Study not definitive, raises questions.

Forbes

Marked by definitive, unambiguous questions and answers, these tests do not place a premium on philosophical reflection.

SEP

However without definitive proof, questions remain and Dr Haji acknowledges there is a lack of proper research into CS gas use and SCD deaths.

BBC

(The FX series is not as definitive on the question of Simpson's guilt).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "definitive question", ensure that the context clearly indicates that answering the question will provide a clear and conclusive resolution to the matter at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "definitive question" when the inquiry is exploratory or open-ended, as this implies a level of certainty that may not exist. Use alternative phrases like "key question" or "important consideration" if the answer is not expected to be conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitive question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "definitive" modifies the noun "question". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase implies that the question's answer provides a conclusive resolution or understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "definitive question" serves to emphasize the critical nature of an inquiry that seeks a clear and conclusive answer. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts. While "definitive question" isn't the most common phrase, alternatives like "crucial question" or "key question" can provide similar emphasis. Be mindful to use it when you expect a conclusive answer, avoiding its use for exploratory inquiries. Usage is seen across News & Media and Scientific sources, highlighting its adaptability. Remember, it's best practice is to ensure the context clearly indicates the question aims at a clear and conclusive resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial question

Replaces 'definitive' with 'crucial', emphasizing the importance of the question.

key question

Uses 'key' instead of 'definitive', highlighting the question's central role.

vital question

Substitutes 'definitive' with 'vital', underscoring the question's essential nature.

decisive question

Emphasizes the question's role in leading to a decision or conclusion.

pivotal question

Highlights the question's significance as a turning point.

central question

Focuses on the question being at the heart of the matter.

critical question

Stresses the importance and urgency of the question.

ultimate question

Indicates the question is the final and most important one.

fundamental question

Highlights that the question addresses basic principles.

essential question

Replaces 'definitive' with 'essential' highlighting the necessity of the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "definitive question" to refer to a question that needs to be answered to resolve an issue or reach a conclusion. For example, "The "definitive question" is whether the policy change will increase productivity".

What phrases are similar to "definitive question"?

Similar phrases include "crucial question", "key question", and "vital question", all emphasizing the importance of the inquiry.

When is it appropriate to use "definitive question"?

Use "definitive question" when the answer is expected to provide a clear resolution or conclusion. It's suitable when the inquiry aims to establish a firm answer, as opposed to exploring possibilities.

What's the difference between "definitive question" and "important question"?

"Definitive question" suggests the answer will provide a clear resolution, whereas "important question" simply indicates the inquiry is significant, regardless of whether its answer is conclusive.