encountering this question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountering this question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the experience of facing or coming across a particular question or issue. Example: "While studying the topic, I found myself encountering this question repeatedly, prompting further research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

One can scarcely open a newspaper, surf the web, or watch a news program these days without encountering this question: Is college worth it?

Huffington Post

When first encountering this question, it may not be clear how to respond.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

When the answer goes beyond ten fingers, then the only situations where you should encounter this question are limited to entering a bar, applying for a driver's license or completing medical forms.

Huffington Post

At the out-patient department, clinicians often encounter this question: whether underlying endometriosis or previous ovarian surgery plays a more important role for the poor serum AMH level in patients with endometriosis.

BMC Women's Health

Think about what you would say if you encountered this question.

WikiHow

There was the source, of course: the United Nations, an organization that for decades has not ceased to condemn, vilify, and ostracize Israel, becoming in the process one of the last places on earth where one could expect to encounter, on this question as on many others, a balanced or courageous stance.

Huffington Post

They started showing neighborhood residents where the fruit was — this was before foraging had entered the public consciousness — and frequently encountered the question: "Is this edible?" "We'd be like, 'Yeah, it's a peach tree,' " Matias said.

The New Yorker

Mark Burnett, an impresario of reality television, has surely encountered the question before: How do you make viewers believe what they're seeing?

The New York Times - Arts

What to see Most locals I encountered responded to this question with a shrug and a faint mutter about Capri.

The Guardian - Travel

Instead of checking other databases to ascertain a person's identity, it only sought to know whether "you ever encountered this particular person before," a question answered by searching your own internal database, he explained.

The New York Times

Whether, and under what model, pre-publication review should take place is no mere academic question; scientists encounter this struggle daily.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encountering this question", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the question is and why it is significant. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

While "encountering this question" is generally acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "facing this question" or "addressing this issue" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountering this question" functions as a gerund phrase, with "encountering" acting as a verb in gerund form. It typically introduces a situation where a particular question or issue is being faced or considered. As seen in Ludwig, it often prefaces a discussion or analysis of the question.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encountering this question" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that typically introduces a specific issue or query. Ludwig highlights its use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While there are no grammatical errors associated with it, overusing this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using alternatives, such as "facing this question" or "addressing this issue", to maintain reader engagement. This phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts and helps set the stage for further exploration or response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing this inquiry

Replaces "encountering" with "facing" and "question" with "inquiry", slightly more formal.

coming across this question

Substitutes "encountering" with "coming across", creating a more casual tone.

when presented with this question

Emphasizes the act of being given the question, changing the focus slightly.

when confronted with this question

Suggests a more direct or challenging interaction with the question.

being asked this question

Focuses on the act of someone posing the question.

when faced with this issue

Replaces "question" with "issue", broadening the scope to a problem or concern.

addressing this question

Shifts the focus to the act of responding to or dealing with the question.

considering this question

Highlights the act of thinking about the question, rather than directly facing it.

tackling this question

Implies a proactive and determined approach to answering the question.

pondering this question

Suggests a deeper and more reflective consideration of the question.

FAQs

How can I use "encountering this question" in a sentence?

You can use "encountering this question" to describe the experience of facing a particular query, such as "While researching, I kept encountering this question about ethical considerations."

What's a more formal way to say "encountering this question"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "addressing this question" or "considering this question".

Which is correct, "encountering this question" or "facing this question"?

Both "encountering this question" and "facing this question" are correct and can be used interchangeably, although "facing" might imply a more direct confrontation with the question.

What can I say instead of "encountering this question" to sound more casual?

To sound more casual, you could use phrases like "coming across this question" or "running into this question".