if a question arises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if a question arises" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a question may come up in the future, often in the context of providing information or instructions. Example: "Please feel free to reach out to me if a question arises during your project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By that time he and the center manager had received an e-mail message from the F.A.A. instructing officials to safeguard all records and adding, "If a question arises whether or not you should retain data, RETAIN IT".

The New York Times

These records are useful if a question arises about when your form was submitted.

Huffington Post

Therefore, if a question arises about the correctness of the genome sequence, one cannot examine the experimental evidence that underlies the genome to see if there is any ambiguity or uncertainty.

Plosone

Call the provider when you get home if a question arises after you left.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A question arises if stress management by diabetic patients depends on selected variables of the course of diabetes, demographical variables and psychical variables.

BioMed Research International

If a dispute or a question arose, someone raised a hand, and the matter would be resolved by a member of the canvassing board.

The New York Times

But in the space where truth and fact diverge, a larger question arises: if the facts don't lead us to meaning, what does?

The New York Times

It seems to me a federal question arises if the Florida Supreme Court, in its opinion, rather clearly says that we're using the Florida Constitution to reach the result we reach in construing the statute.

The New York Times

A natural question arises if the distributed scheme has less signalling than the centralized scheme.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

A second question arises if we consider the ontology of space and time independently from the substance-property metaphysical framework, viz.

SEP

If it's successful, a bigger question arises: Could that success encourage other major retailers, such as Target and Wal-Mart, to look into the practice of used-videogame sales as well?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, ensure the context clearly defines what type of "question" might arise. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "if a question arises" in situations where a direct invitation for questions is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "if a question arises, contact me", a simple "feel free to ask questions" might suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if a question arises" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a situation where an inquiry or problem may occur. It sets the stage for a subsequent action or instruction, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, such as providing contact information or retaining data.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if a question arises" is a grammatically sound conditional clause used to anticipate potential inquiries or issues. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, although more formal alternatives exist. Its primary function is to provide reassurance and guidance, encouraging audiences to seek clarification when needed. While most frequently used in News & Media and Science, its neutral-to-formal register makes it versatile for professional and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if a query comes up

Replaces "question arises" with a more direct term for an inquiry.

in the event of a question

Formal rephrasing using "in the event of" to denote a conditional occurrence.

should a question emerge

Uses "should" to introduce a hypothetical situation with a slightly more formal tone.

if a problem comes up

Substitutes "question" with "problem", implying a difficulty needing resolution.

if an inquiry presents itself

More formal and elaborate way of saying a question becomes apparent.

if there are any questions

A more direct and common way to invite questions.

if any issues are raised

Shifts focus to the act of raising an issue or concern.

should any concerns surface

Similar to "should a question emerge" but emphasizes potential worries.

if clarification is needed

Focuses specifically on the need for clearer understanding.

in case of doubt

More concise phrase indicating uncertainty needing resolution.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if a question arises" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "should a question emerge", "in the event of a question", or "if an inquiry presents itself" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's a simpler way to say "if a question arises"?

For simpler phrasing, you can use "if there are any questions", "feel free to ask", or "if you have any questions".

Is it better to use "if a question arises" or "if any questions arise"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "if any questions arise" is generally more common and direct. "If a question arises" can emphasize a single, specific question.

When is it most appropriate to use "if a question arises"?

It's best to use "if a question arises" when anticipating potential inquiries after providing instructions, information, or explanations, especially when you're available to provide support or clarification.