gateway question

USAGE SUMMARY

"gateway question" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used as a noun to refer to basic questions posed as an introduction to a larger topic or conversation. For example, a teacher might ask "What is the capital of France?" as a gateway question to begin a lesson on European geography.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

China Gateway Question:How long does it take to arrange a visit to China from Hong Kong?

The New York Times - Travel

A big gateway question, though, is how to characterize Defense Distributed's CAD files in the first place.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is conceivable that respondents who experience several waves of interviews may learn to answer no to such gateway questions as a way of shortening the interview.

BMC Psychiatry

HK Ah the clichéd answer would be because it serves as the perfect gateway to question the world around me, which is utterly true!

Huffington Post

U.S. CONSUMER GATEWAY www.consumer.gov.

Forbes

Beat Gateway Colosseum first.

WikiHow

He wished for a moment that he belonged to the population of men who asked and answered questions like this, who securely knew that these questions were just a gateway for nonsexual statistical intercourse between underachieving men.

The New Yorker

The gate has five gateways.

Wikipedia

And I think that action recognition is a gateway to higher-level visual and social questions that I'm ultimately interested in my research.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The issue is analogous to the question of whether marijuana is a "gateway" to heroin.

Forbes

The paper answers the question of how to deploy these gateways in a way that guarantees an efficient and adaptive communication.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gateway question" to introduce a topic that requires basic understanding before moving to more complex details. For example, when discussing climate change, a "gateway question" could be: What are greenhouse gases?

Common error

Avoid using "gateway question" to refer to complex or multifaceted inquiries. It's best suited for simple questions that open a broader discussion, not questions that are already complex in nature.

Linguistic Context

"Gateway question" functions as a noun phrase, typically referring to an initial question posed to introduce or open up a broader subject. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Examples show it framing discussions in technology and travel, indicating its role as a starting point for exploration.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gateway question" is a noun phrase referring to an initial question that serves as an introduction to a broader topic. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. It's found in both news and scientific contexts, aiming to simplify complex subjects by starting with basic inquiries. While it might not be a frequently used term, it's a valuable descriptor for initiating discussions and preparing audiences for more in-depth explorations. As noted, alternatives like "introductory question" or "initial inquiry" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

introductory question

Focuses on the role of the question as an introduction.

initial inquiry

Highlights the question's position as the first in a series.

starting point question

Emphasizes the question as the beginning of a discussion or investigation.

preliminary question

Suggests a question asked before delving into more complex matters.

opening gambit

Implies a strategic question to initiate a conversation or negotiation.

lead-in question

Highlights the question's role in smoothly transitioning to a new topic.

probing question

Emphasizes the question's intent to explore and uncover information.

baseline question

Focuses on establishing a fundamental understanding.

entry-level question

Highlights the question's accessibility and suitability for beginners.

icebreaker question

Suggests a question intended to ease tension and initiate interaction.

FAQs

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

You can use "gateway question" to describe a simple question used to introduce a more complex topic. For instance: "The teacher used a "gateway question" to start the lesson on photosynthesis."

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

Alternatives include "introductory question", "initial inquiry", or "starting point question" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "gateway question" the same as a rhetorical question?

No, a "gateway question" is designed to elicit an answer and begin a discussion, while a rhetorical question is asked for effect and does not require an answer.

What makes a good "gateway question"?

A good "gateway question" should be simple, easily understood, and directly relevant to the topic it introduces. It should spark curiosity and encourage further exploration of the subject.