imposes a question

USAGE SUMMARY

"imposes a question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when the speaker wishes to emphasize the gravity of a question or point to the importance of getting an answer. For example, "The complexity of the situation imposes a question: How can we move forward?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The apparent preference to trawl inshore due to the low catch rates in the deep waters imposes a question mark on the long-term viability of pair-trawling as a fishing technique for fishery developments on Lake Victoria.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The RNase MRP is thought to have evolved before the ancestor of modern eukaryotes [ 28], but previously missing evidence of the MRP RNA from G. intestinalis [ 8, 29] imposed a question on the origin of MRP and rRNA processing.

BMC Genomics

A more specific assessment of activities of daily living (ADLs) using standardized instruments, such as the Caregiver Assistance Scale, Care-giving impact scale or Personal Gain Scale [ 29, 42], may be useful although they impose a significant question burden, which may have further negatively impacted response rates.

Critical Care

The question for decision is thus whether (the statute in question) imposes a criminal sanction.

Cornell University

There's a necessary break which, especially in pop music, imposes a set of helpful creative questions: is side two a variation of side one or should each new side offer a new style, a new energy?

The Guardian - Music

In a developing country like Pakistan, scarce resources impose an important question about the deployment of this new palliative modality for neurogeneic dysphagic patients.

BMC Gastroenterology

Apparently functional copies of all these genes are present in the D. bruxellensis genome, imposing an important question about their possible metabolic roles in the absence of the "upstream" MOX gene.

BMC Genomics

Except, that is, for the far-right nationalist protesters whose leaders impose a gag rule, answering questions only with assertions that "the press lies".

The New York Times

In her ruling, Judge Phyllis Gangel-Jacob said Mr. Pataki's May 31 order pulling the vehicle registration for 63 Apple Tours buses raised due process questions, imposed a penalty that could kill the company and hurt the city's tourism industry.

The New York Times

If we adopt this criterion then we also have to impose a certain condition on question-meanings.

SEP

"In the course of the talks, North Korea will be ready to resolve the question of imposing a moratorium on tests and production of nuclear missile weapons," she was quoted as saying.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "imposes a question" when you want to emphasize the weight or significance of the question being raised. It suggests that the situation compels the question.

Common error

Avoid using "imposes a question" in casual conversation. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in informal settings; opt for simpler alternatives like "raises a question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imposes a question" functions as a verb phrase introducing a question that arises as a necessary consequence of a situation or statement. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in writing. It emphasizes the significance or urgency of the question.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "imposes a question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to emphasize the gravity or inevitability of a question arising from a given situation. While confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is more suited to formal and scientific contexts than casual conversation. Alternative phrases such as "raises a question" or "poses a question" may be more appropriate for informal settings. When using "imposes a question", consider whether the context truly warrants highlighting the necessity or urgency of the inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Raises a question

Focuses on introducing a question for consideration; slightly less forceful than "imposes".

Poses a question

Similar to "raises a question", but suggests a more deliberate act of presenting a question.

Prompts a question

Indicates that something leads to a question being asked.

Suggests a question

Implies a question without directly stating it.

Invites a question

Indicates an openness or encouragement for a question to be asked.

Gives rise to a question

Highlights the cause-and-effect relationship between a situation and a question.

Brings up a question

Indicates that a question is being introduced into a discussion.

Creates a question

Emphasizes the creation or formation of a question.

Leads to a question

Suggests that one thing naturally progresses into a question.

Dictates a question

Implies a question is necessary or unavoidable.

FAQs

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

Use "imposes a question" to emphasize that a situation or statement makes a particular question unavoidable or essential to consider. For example, "The lack of funding imposes a question about the project's long-term viability".

What can I say instead of "imposes a question"?

You can use alternatives like "raises a question", "poses a question", or "prompts a question" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "imposes a question" or "raises a question"?

"Imposes a question" suggests that the situation necessitates the question, giving it greater weight. "Raises a question", on the other hand, is more neutral and simply indicates that a question has arisen. Choose the phrase that best reflects the gravity of the question in your context.

What's the difference between "imposes a question" and "presents a question"?

"Imposes a question" suggests the question is unavoidable due to circumstances. "Presents a question" is more neutral, simply indicating that a question is being introduced for consideration. The former implies a degree of necessity that the latter does not.