generic question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generic question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is broad or not specific to a particular topic or context. Example: "During the meeting, I asked a generic question about the company's future plans to encourage discussion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Of the 8 questions, 5 dealt with plant growth, 2 dealt with water transport and 1 was a generic question about science in general that stemmed from a lecture activity.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

- Regarding severity of experienced problems, the response alternatives were "very", "fairly", "somewhat", and "not at all" to a generic question "How problematic do you generally find it to handle sickness-certification of patients?" and to 16 specified problems.

BMC Public Health

It's a generic question we haven't answered that goes beyond 9/11".

The New York Times

The simultaneous optimization of a signal and of its variability is a generic question of interest to any chemical analyst.

Talanta

On Pew's generic question of whether it is more important to protect the right to own guns, or to control gun ownership: 51% chose gun ownership in January, and 49% in December.

The Guardian - Opinion

After several focus groups with adolescent girls they learned that asking the generic question "How far away can you travel from home by yourself?" would not capture how a girl's mobility was constrained, because the answer depended on what she was doing and for whom.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Evaluation studies have shown that the system could generate questions as useful as human supervisors and significantly outperformed human peers and generic questions in most quality measures after filtering out questions with grammatical and semantic errors (Liu et al. 2012).

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Each entry has a candid snapshot, some goofy scribbles, meaningless answers to generic questions.

The New York Times

This book returns to the literary career and treats generic questions raised by the novels themselves.

Princeton University

"The presidential lines are generic cell lines and they allow you to ask very generic questions,'' Dr. Daley said.

The New York Times - Science

Discussion focuses on generic questions with potential biotechnological applications and the quest for solutions through a coordinated interdisciplinary approach.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting surveys or interviews, use a "generic question" as an initial probe to encourage open-ended responses before moving to more specific inquiries.

Common error

Be mindful that a "generic question" might elicit vague or unhelpful answers. Ensure follow-up questions are in place to gather specific details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generic question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "generic" modifies the noun "question". It describes the type or nature of the question being asked. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used and understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generic question" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a question that is broad and lacks specificity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various domains like news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, remember that while it's useful for starting conversations or gathering initial information, it might elicit vague responses. Consider using alternatives like "general question" or "broad question" for similar meanings. Always be prepared to follow up a "generic question" with more specific inquiries to obtain detailed and focused answers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general question

Replaces "generic" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

broad question

Emphasizes the wide scope of the question, similar to "generic".

universal question

Highlights the applicability of the question to many situations.

common question

Suggests the question is frequently asked or encountered.

overall question

Implies the question covers the main points or aspects of a topic.

generalized question

Focuses on the question's lack of specificity.

vague question

Highlights the lack of clarity or precision in the question.

overarching question

Implies the question is fundamental and all-encompassing.

sweeping question

Suggests the question covers a large area or range.

standard question

Emphasizes the routine or typical nature of the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "generic question" to describe a question that is broad and not specific, such as: "The survey started with a "generic question" about overall satisfaction."

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

Alternatives to "generic question" include "general question", "broad question", or "universal question", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to ask a "generic question"?

It is appropriate to ask a "generic question" when you want to start a conversation, gather initial information, or encourage broad participation. However, be prepared to follow up with more specific questions.

What are the drawbacks of using a "generic question"?

The main drawback of using a "generic question" is that it may elicit vague or unhelpful responses. It can also lead to unfocused discussions or fail to gather the specific information you need. Therefore, use them strategically and always have follow-up questions prepared.