during a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during a question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the time or context in which a question is being asked or considered. Example: "I found it difficult to concentrate during a question about the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

David Cameron during a question and answer session at an electrical goods warehouse in Newark today.

The Guardian

"Try to come — good luck," Fasel said during a question and answer session at the four-day meeting in Toronto.

The New York Times - Sports

"I always believe in prayer," Obama said during his news conference, after a reporter mentioned the joke during a question.

Independent

It followed a public breakdown during a question and answer session at an event in Northampton in January.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was her awkward straddle during a question about illegal immigrants that dominated the analysis of an Oct. 31 debate.

The New York Times

Prior was quoted, during a question and answer session in Dubai, as saying the England dressing room would be a better place without Pietersen.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Tweddle was targeted on Tuesday during a question-and-answer session hosted by Sky Sports.

The Guardian - Tech

"You need to build resilience today," Mr. Caruana said during a question-and-answer session.

The New York Times

"We don't want to overpromise," he said during a question-and-answer session.

The New York Times

But Mr. Edwards outlined his plan to remove American troops from Iraq during a question-and-answer session with voters.

The New York Times

Later, during a question-and-answer session at the movie's première, at Film Forum, Eggleston got shy again.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during a question" to clearly indicate an event or action that occurs simultaneously with the asking or consideration of a question. It provides a temporal context for understanding the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "during a question" when you actually mean 'after the question' or 'because of the question'. Ensure the timing is concurrent, not sequential or causal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during a question" acts as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate when an action or event occurs. Ludwig indicates this phrase is correct. Examples show it describing actions taking place simultaneously with the asking or consideration of a question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during a question" is a useful prepositional phrase for indicating simultaneity between an event and the act of asking a question. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that you accurately reflect the temporal relationship, avoiding confusion with sequential or causal connections. By considering the register and potential alternative phrases, you can effectively communicate the intended meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while a question is asked

Emphasizes the simultaneous occurrence of the question being posed.

as a question is posed

Highlights the manner in which the question is presented.

in the course of questioning

Focuses on the process or activity of asking questions.

amidst a query

Uses a more formal term for question and suggests the question arises from within something.

in response to a question

Indicates a direct reaction or answer related to a specific question.

when the question arose

Highlights the moment of the question's emergence.

at the time of the question

Specifies the temporal aspect of when the question was asked.

upon asking a question

Emphasizes the action of asking the question as a starting point.

during an inquiry

Replaces "question" with the more formal "inquiry", suggesting a deeper or more official investigation.

as a query is made

Similar to 'as a question is posed' but uses 'query' to suggest a more formal or specific question.

FAQs

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

You can use "during a question" to specify when something happened in relation to a question being asked. For example, "He paused, considering his answer during a question about the budget."

What are some alternatives to saying "during a question"?

Consider alternatives such as "while a question is asked", "as a question is posed", or "in the course of questioning", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in a question" instead of "during a question"?

While "in a question" might be grammatically correct in some contexts, it's less common and might not always convey the intended meaning of something happening at the same time that the question is being posed. "During a question" more clearly indicates simultaneity.

How does "during a question" differ from "after a question"?

"During a question" refers to something happening at the same time as the question, while "after a question" indicates something happening subsequently. For example, "during a question" implies simultaneity whereas after suggests sequence.