formulate a question

USAGE SUMMARY

"formulate a question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of creating or thinking of a question. For example: "We need to formulate a question that can help us focus our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

That dumbness, however, is part of the fun, and there is a strange, befuddling joy in responding to a film with mouth agape, one finger pointing heavenward, as you struggle to formulate a question that will not come.

The New Yorker

I can't help feeling pleased and grateful that Pope Francis doesn't believe in that kind of God, even if for other reasons (lack of evidence, plus an inability to formulate a question or questions to which a God or gods would be a satisfactory answer) I can't join him in believing in any sort of God at all.

The New Yorker

One doesn't so much interview Dykstra as try to keep up with him; in the time it takes to formulate a question, he is apt to be distracted by a cell phone (he travels with three), or the echoes of a movie quote he loves (Jack Nicholson's "You can't handle the truth," for example), or, say, his appetite for caffeine and junk food.

The New Yorker

In order to know what to look for and recognize it when one finds it, one needs to first think one's way through the difficulties involved, and thereby formulate a question.

SEP

The next step was to formulate a question with which to measure unbearable suffering per aspect.

BMC Palliative Care

During this investigation, residents learn how to identify an appropriate topic, formulate a question, review the literature, engage stakeholders, apply QI methodology, reflect on results using QI tools, and propose feasible improvement ideas.

Academic Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Wyatt rejected the suggestion that momentum for constitutional reform has died down, and admitted that he had formulated a question that he thought was suitable to be taken to the people for a referendum on the issue, flagged for 2017.

The Guardian

In lines 10 11, the younger player directs the older player's attention to the "little right hand" on the screen by formulating a question to check whether she sees it.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

The woman spoke with a guy who was with her, then started walking towards me while formulating a question, "oye, no sabés donde queda...?" before she finished, I knew she was trouble.

Huffington Post

In the present study, Family Medicine residents improved in all domains of EBP except for formulating a question.

BMC Family Practice

The construction of the questionnaire for the device involves formulating a question prompt, a variable type, and an explanatory note for each question.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In interviews, take time to "formulate a question" that demonstrates your engagement and understanding of the company's goals.

Common error

Avoid vague or overly broad questions that cannot be answered effectively. Instead, "formulate a question" that is specific and well-defined to ensure a focused and productive inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulate a question" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of creating or devising a question. As shown by Ludwig AI, this construction is widely accepted and frequently used in academic and professional settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "formulate a question" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of creating or devising a question, particularly in contexts such as research, problem-solving, and inquiry. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and is used across diverse fields from science and news to formal business settings. When using the phrase, remember to craft specific and well-defined questions to guide effective investigation. Consider using alternatives like "develop a question" or "frame a question" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

develop a question

Focuses on the process of gradual development or refinement of a question.

frame a question

Emphasizes the act of putting a question into a particular structure or context.

pose a question

Highlights the act of presenting a question for consideration.

raise a question

Suggests bringing a question to attention or initiating discussion.

come up with a question

Indicates the process of inventing or discovering a question.

construct a question

Implies a careful and deliberate building of a question.

devise a question

Emphasizes ingenuity in creating a question.

hypothesize a question

Suggests framing a question as a testable hypothesis.

conceptualize a question

Focuses on the abstract and theoretical understanding of a question.

articulate a question

Highlights expressing a question clearly and distinctly.

FAQs

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

You can use "formulate a question" to describe the process of creating or developing a question. For example, "The first step in research is to formulate a question that is both relevant and answerable".

What are some alternatives to "formulate a question"?

You can use alternatives like "develop a question", "frame a question", or "pose a question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "formulate a question" in research?

In research, to "formulate a question" means to clearly define the problem or issue that your study aims to address. This question guides your research design, data collection, and analysis.

What's the difference between "formulate a question" and "ask a question"?

"Formulate a question" implies a more deliberate and thoughtful process of creating a question, often for research or investigation. "Ask a question" is a more general term for simply posing a question.