factual question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "factual question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can typically use it to refer to a question asked which requires a direct, factual answer, as opposed to an opinion or point of view. For example: "The teacher asked the students a factual question: What is the capital of France?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Isaiah: 'That is a factual question to which there must be an answer: Yes or No'".

Independent

Finally, there is a basic factual question: is the material already in the public domain?

The New York Times - Tech

The key factual question is how much the treatment costs for each quality-adjusted life year, or QALY, gained.

The Guardian - Opinion

A simple factual question, you might think, that every police PR outfit could answer after a single phone call.

The Guardian

When you have two authors taking turns in the same book, and arguing in its pages about some factual question, the effect is disconcerting.

The New Yorker

The company argued that the lower standard should at least apply where the factual question in dispute had not been considered before the patent was issued.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The chief justice largely asked factual questions, apparently to clarify the record.

The New York Times

Written language is no less adapted to conveying more than just factual information, asking factual questions, and giving instructions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The school will have its own certificate of general knowledge, with 500 factual questions.

The Guardian

There are dozens of other factual questions, before one even gets to the moral ones.

The New Yorker

It would be great if every poll included a section that asked respondents to answer a few factual questions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "factual question" when the intent is to gather objective information, as opposed to opinions or beliefs.

Common error

Avoid framing subjective inquiries as "factual questions". Ensure the question can be answered with concrete evidence, not personal feelings or interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "factual question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "factual" modifies the noun "question". It specifies the type of question being asked, indicating that it requires a fact-based answer. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "factual question" is grammatically sound and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a question requiring a verifiable, fact-based answer. The phrase is frequently encountered in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, reflecting its importance in objective discourse. When using "factual question", ensure clarity and specificity to avoid ambiguity and subjective interpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter of fact query

Emphasizes the straightforward and objective nature of the question.

verifiable query

Substitutes "factual" with "verifiable", highlighting the need for confirmation.

objective inquiry

Replaces "question" with a more formal term, and "factual" with a related concept emphasizing impartiality.

information-based question

Uses a compound adjective to emphasize the reliance on information.

knowledge-based inquiry

Similar to information-based, this emphasizes the reliance on established knowledge.

evidence-based inquiry

Replaces "factual" with "evidence-based", focusing on the need for empirical support.

empirically testable question

Highlights the possibility of testing the question's answer through observation or experiment.

straightforward question

Focuses on the simplicity and directness of the question, suggesting it seeks a clear answer.

truth-seeking question

Highlights the aim of discovering the truth through the question.

testable hypothesis

Frames the query as a statement that can be tested for its validity.

FAQs

How do I use "factual question" in a sentence?

You can use "factual question" to describe a question that seeks objective information, such as "The lawyer presented a series of "factual questions" to the witness to establish the timeline of events."

What is another way to say "factual question"?

Alternatives to "factual question" include "objective inquiry", "verifiable query", or "information-based question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What differentiates a "factual question" from an opinion-based question?

A "factual question" seeks objective information that can be verified with evidence, while an opinion-based question elicits subjective viewpoints or personal beliefs. For instance, "What year did World War II begin?" is a factual question, whereas "What was the main reason for WWII?" is subject to interpretation.

When is it appropriate to use the term "factual question"?

Use "factual question" when the question's answer is based on verifiable facts, data, or evidence. This term is suitable in contexts where objectivity and accuracy are important, such as in legal proceedings, scientific research, or educational assessments.