impending question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impending question" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when referring to a question that is about to arise or be asked in a discussion or situation. Example: "As the meeting progressed, the impending question about budget cuts loomed over the team."

Urban Rail Transit

Plosone

Independent

The Guardian - Tech

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The impending question is whether the demand of signal technicians can be met in the future or not.

Urban Rail Transit

The distinction between primo-vessels and lymphatic vessels has been an impending question because of the similarities of these morphological characteristics.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Meanwhile, Murray returns home to impending fatherhood.

Independent

Her trial is impending.

The Guardian - Tech

In moments here impending misery creeps in.

The New York Times - Arts

Sweat, if not blood, was impending.

The New Yorker

Intramural imaging findings indicate impending AAA rupture.

Insights into Imaging

"What I'm asking is this: Are your cars, toilets, and entertainment more important than your safe passage from A to B on an airliner?" In the context of the impending strike, the question was less rhetorical than it was a threat.

The New Yorker

Life's at your door and It doesn't like to wait!" With this impending doom come questions from friends and family, classmates and advisors and mentors and neighbors from back home and third cousins who haven't spoken to you since that fourth cousin was born.

Huffington Post

When Adam falls for Evelyn Rachel Weiszz), a cruelly manipulative art student with boyfriend-makeover designs, Jenny begins to question her impending marriage to Adam's jerky friend (Frederick Weller).

The New York Times

Donald Rumsfeld, who decided at the last minute to testify, failed to address the question of impending civil war, and stressed that US troops should not be withdrawn 'prematurely'prematurely

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impending question", consider the context carefully. It is most appropriate when referring to a question that is foreseeable and relevant to the current situation. Ensure that the use of "impending" adds specific nuance, like a sense of anticipation or slight unease.

Common error

Avoid using "impending" too frequently in your writing. While it can effectively convey anticipation, overuse can make your writing sound melodramatic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "forthcoming", "upcoming", or "approaching" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "impending" modifies the noun "question". It describes a question that is likely to arise or become relevant in the near future. Ludwig identifies the phrase as acceptable, though not commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impending question" is used to describe a question that is about to arise or become relevant. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically acceptable, it's not a commonly used phrase and may sound slightly awkward. Alternatives like "approaching question" or ""forthcoming question"" may be more common, depending on the context. The phrase tends to appear in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts, indicating a relatively neutral to formal register. While "impending question" can be useful for highlighting anticipation, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forthcoming question

Replaces "impending" with "forthcoming", emphasizing the question is about to be asked or addressed.

approaching question

Substitutes "impending" with "approaching", indicating the question is nearing or becoming more relevant.

looming question

Replaces "impending" with "looming", highlighting the significance and potential impact of the question.

pressing question

Changes "impending" to "pressing", emphasizing the urgency and importance of the question.

emerging question

Uses "emerging" instead of "impending", suggesting the question is newly arising or becoming apparent.

upcoming question

Replaces "impending" with "upcoming", indicating the question will be asked or discussed soon.

anticipated question

Substitutes "impending" with "anticipated", highlighting that the question is expected or foreseen.

imminent question

Replaces "impending" with "imminent", emphasizing the question is about to happen very soon.

pending question

Uses "pending" instead of "impending", suggesting the question is awaiting consideration or resolution.

ensuing question

Changes "impending" to "ensuing", indicating the question will follow or result from something.

FAQs

What does "impending question" mean?

The phrase "impending question" refers to a question that is about to arise or become relevant. It suggests a question that is foreseeable and likely to be addressed soon.

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

You can use "impending question" to describe a question that is looming or anticipated in a specific situation. For example: "The "forthcoming question" about budget cuts worried the team."

What are some alternatives to "impending question"?

Some alternatives to "impending question" include "approaching question", ""forthcoming question"", or "looming question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "impending question" formal or informal?

"Impending question" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's slightly more common in formal or analytical writing due to the nature of the word "impending".