fleeting question

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting question" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a question that is temporary or quickly passing, perhaps one that arises momentarily in a conversation or thought. For example: "She had a fleeting question about the topic before moving on." Alternative expressions include "transient question" and "ephemeral question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But it was a fleeting question; "you don't try to second-guess the filmmaker," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

And now that I think of it, I do remember that at some point in the 1990s, I entertained a fleeting question about what kind of name Erskine was.

The New York Times

Yet it raises a fleeting question in the mind, the same question that returns in different ways throughout the piece: Aren't all these characters on the cusp of sexual experience?

The New York Times - Arts

But it has allowed us to reflexively indulge every passing interest, to expect answers to every fleeting question, to believe that if we search long enough, surf a little further, we can hit the dry land of knowing "everything that happens" and that such knowledge is both possible and desirable.

The New York Times - Magazine

The fleeting question of whether Mr. Klock might somehow pay for his slip-up distracted from the larger question, just as impossible to answer, of whether something conclusive was to be read into the grilling by particular justices of particular lawyers on crucial points of law.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The commission failed to give Fox or ABC fair notice prior to the broadcasts in question that fleeting expletives and momentary nudity could be found actionably indecent," wrote Justice Anthony Kennedy.

TechCrunch

This fleeting encounter raises a question: will this pleasant interchange affect whether or not I might vote for him?

BBC

Whenever preceding or resulting pain is greater than the fleeting payoff, we should question the effectiveness of the enterprise.

Huffington Post

But any push probably would be fleeting because the bigger questions hanging over the euro remain unresolved.

The New York Times

It was for only a fleeting moment, but the questions inspired deep thought and a reflective poise on Matthew Kaphan's part, his mind sweeping whole epochs of history.

The New York Times

Barring fleeting skepticism, no insiders questioned Michel's rules.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting question" when you want to emphasize that a question arose briefly and was not dwelled upon or given significant consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting question" when you actually mean a complex or difficult problem; "fleeting" specifically refers to the briefness of the question, not its difficulty or implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fleeting" modifies the noun "question". It describes the nature of the question as being brief or transient. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting question" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable expression used to describe a question that is brief, temporary, or quickly dismissed. While relatively rare in usage, according to Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this expression, ensure that the focus is on the brevity of the question rather than its complexity. Consider alternatives like "brief question" or "momentary query" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transient inquiry

Replaces 'fleeting' with 'transient', emphasizing the temporary nature of the question.

momentary query

Substitutes 'fleeting' with 'momentary', highlighting the brief duration of the question.

brief question

Uses 'brief' instead of 'fleeting' for a more direct synonym, indicating a short question.

passing question

Replaces 'fleeting' with 'passing', suggesting the question quickly disappears from consideration.

short-lived question

Emphasizes the temporary existence of the question.

ephemeral question

Uses 'ephemeral' to convey the quickly fading nature of the question.

fleeting thought

Slightly broader, referring to the thought process behind the question rather than the question itself.

a question that quickly disappears

Describes the effect of the question instead of directly replacing the adjective.

quickly dismissed question

Focuses on the question being ignored or rejected rapidly.

an insignificant question

Highlights the lack of importance or relevance of the question.

FAQs

What does "fleeting question" mean?

A "fleeting question" is a question that arises briefly or momentarily, often without significant consideration or lasting impact. It suggests the question is not dwelled upon.

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

You can use "fleeting question" to describe a question that someone considers only briefly. For example, "She had a "fleeting question" about the project's budget before moving on to the next agenda item."

What are some alternatives to "fleeting question"?

Alternatives to "fleeting question" include "brief question", "momentary query", or "transient inquiry", all of which suggest the question was short-lived or not deeply considered.

Is "fleeting question" formal or informal?

"Fleeting question" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.