genuine questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "genuine questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to questions that are sincere or important. For example, "The politician was asked a series of genuine questions about her policies in the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are genuine questions.

The Guardian - Opinion

State views and ask genuine questions.

Harvard Business Review

But genuine questions are a problem, too.

The New York Times

Presenters are encouraged to pose genuine questions to the group.

Columbia University

Partly because there are still genuine questions to which there are no clear answers.

The Economist

He has raised genuine questions about the legal supervision of the NSA within America.

The Economist

I am just as thankful for the genuine questions and concerns that were raised.

The New York Times

He said: "There [are] genuine questions from people who want to learn.

Independent

Shifting from rhetorical to genuine questions may be more difficult than it seems.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Alt-Right: Listens to Infowars and has some genuine questions about Pizzagate.

The New Yorker

Rather, it's that genuine questions are being asked of the All Blacks.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "genuine questions", ensure the context reflects a sincere desire for understanding or information, not a hidden agenda or rhetorical ploy.

Common error

Avoid framing rhetorical questions as "genuine questions". Rhetorical questions are asked for effect, not for answers, and mislabeling them can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "genuine questions" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "genuine" modifies the noun "questions". It describes the type or quality of the questions being asked. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and conveys sincerity or importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "genuine questions" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize the sincerity and validity of inquiries. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted and used across various domains, most notably in news, academia, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, be mindful to differentiate "genuine questions" from those that are merely rhetorical or disingenuous. Alternatives such as "sincere inquiries" or "legitimate questions" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis, depending on the specific context. It's essential to make the intent behind those inquiries clear and upfront, avoiding any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sincere inquiries

Replaces "questions" with a synonym, while "sincere" maintains the authenticity aspect.

legitimate questions

"Legitimate" focuses on the validity and justification of the questions.

authentic questions

"Authentic" emphasizes the real and unfeigned nature of the questions.

real questions

"Real" is a more direct and simple synonym for "genuine".

bona fide questions

"Bona fide" is a more formal term highlighting the good faith and sincerity of the questions.

earnest questions

"Earnest" emphasizes the serious and heartfelt nature of the questions.

valid questions

"Valid" focuses on the logical correctness and relevance of the questions.

honest questions

"Honest" emphasizes the straightforward and truthful intent behind the questions.

unfeigned questions

"Unfeigned" emphasizes the lack of pretense or artificiality in the questions.

serious questions

"Serious" shifts the focus to the importance and gravity of the questions.

FAQs

How can I use "genuine questions" in a sentence?

You can use "genuine questions" to describe inquiries that are sincere and not intended to be manipulative or insincere. For example, "The reporter asked the CEO a series of "genuine questions" about the company's environmental impact."

What are some alternatives to saying "genuine questions"?

Alternatives include "sincere inquiries", "legitimate questions", or "authentic questions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "genuine questions" or "genuinely questions"?

"Genuine questions" is correct because "genuine" is an adjective describing the noun "questions". "Genuinely questions" would be incorrect because "genuinely" is an adverb and would need to modify a verb, not a noun.

What's the difference between "genuine questions" and "probing questions"?

"Genuine questions" indicates sincerity and a real desire for information. "Probing questions", on the other hand, implies a more in-depth and possibly challenging line of questioning designed to uncover hidden information or assumptions.