earnest question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earnest question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when someone is asking an important or serious question, conveying the impression that they truly want to know the answer. For example: "She looked at me with an earnest question in her eyes, asking if I would go to the dance with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's an earnest question.

The New Yorker

"You know, he was asking himself a dead earnest question.

The Guardian

The worst moment for Corbyn was when he asked an earnest question about job insecurity and bad bosses without any self-awareness.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the legend goes, it was years ago, aboard a sleek family yacht, when Charles F. Dolan asked his executive crewmates an earnest question: What about Jim? His son needed an occupation.

The New York Times - Sports

The artless repetitions, the indented lines, the earnest question marks, the lack of subterfuge or extraneous commentary, the ingenuous vitality — all this makes use, I suspect, of the atmosphere of contemporary songwriting.

The New Yorker

"Gotta Know," a slow-burn ballad in the Rolling Stones vein, begins with the earnest question "Hey there, little flower/How do you grow?" On "King Hummingbird" he's addressing a bird, attempting to atone for the sins of humankind: "I'll fall down/On my knees and beg/For the life I took from you, my king".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But Ambassador Richardson deflects earnest questions with a nudge and a joke.

The Economist

In other groups, students asked earnest questions: "How did you go to school, on a horse?" " 'Soul Train'?

The New York Times

Like much of Sunset Television's work the humor is poker faced, and most of the 3,865 comments posted online involve earnest questions about authenticity.

The New York Times - Arts

In his day's brief intervals of quiet -- between all those earnest questions so politely answered -- the young man hears other voices.

The New York Times

A series of earnest questions about small and medium size enterprises – and whether the European debt crisis will rebound on South Africa – gave him a brief respite.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earnest question" when you want to emphasize the sincere and genuine nature of the inquiry. It conveys that the questioner is truly seeking understanding or a truthful answer.

Common error

The phrase "earnest question" is typically used to convey sincerity. Using it sarcastically or ironically can confuse your audience and undermine your intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnest question" functions as a noun phrase, where 'earnest' modifies 'question'. It's used to describe the type of inquiry being made, emphasizing its sincerity and genuine intent. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earnest question" is a valid and useful phrase to describe a sincere and genuine inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirmed, this phrase is grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts, as well as more formal discussions. While related phrases like "sincere inquiry" or "genuine question" can be used as alternatives, "earnest question" specifically emphasizes the deep sincerity and serious intent behind the question being asked. When using it, ensure your tone remains consistent with the phrase's inherent sincerity to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincere inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "earnest" with "sincere", emphasizing the genuineness of the request.

genuine question

Uses "genuine" instead of "earnest" to highlight the authenticity of the question.

serious question

Substitutes "earnest" with "serious", indicating the importance of the question.

honest question

Highlights the candid nature of the question being asked.

thoughtful question

Focuses on the depth and consideration behind the question, rather than the sincerity.

heartfelt question

Emphasizes the emotional depth and concern behind the question.

pressing question

Suggests the question is important and cannot be ignored.

urgent question

Indicates the question requires immediate attention and a prompt answer.

grave question

Implies the question concerns a serious or critical matter.

solemn question

Indicates the question is asked with deep sincerity and seriousness, often in a formal setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "earnest question" to describe someone's sincere inquiry, for example: "She posed an "earnest question" about the company's future during the meeting."

What's a good alternative to "earnest question"?

Alternatives include "sincere inquiry", "genuine question", or "serious question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "earnest question" in formal writing?

Yes, "earnest question" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to emphasize the sincere nature of an inquiry. Its use is widespread in news and media, as well as other professional contexts.

What is the difference between "earnest question" and "pointed question"?

While both describe questions, "earnest question" emphasizes sincerity and genuine seeking of information. "Pointed question", on the other hand, refers to a question that is direct, possibly critical, and intended to reveal a specific issue or weakness.