incisive question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incisive question" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a question that is sharp, insightful, and gets to the heart of the matter. You can use it in any situation where you want to describe a question that is perceptive and cutting. For example: - During the press conference, a journalist asked an incisive question that got the politician to reveal his true intentions. - The teacher asked an incisive question that challenged the students' understanding of the subject. - In her essay, the author poses several incisive questions that make readers reflect on their beliefs. - The prosecutor's incisive questions during cross-examination exposed the witness's lies. - The CEO's speech was followed by an open Q&A, where employees were encouraged to ask incisive questions about the company's direction.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I saw more cabinet secretaries go into the Oval Office with their presentations about whatever issue and before they could get to page two, he'd ask the most incisive question that they'd forgotten to prepare for," she said on Fox.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He poses some incisive questions: who is served by China's nationalism?

The Economist

Another said: "These guys asked incisive questions during negotiations; they were very tough negotiating loan documents.

The New York Times - Sports

He paid more attention in meetings, asked more incisive questions and the plays made more sense.

The New York Times - Sports

He is smart, well prepared and distinguished himself by asking Kaat interesting, incisive questions.

The New York Times - Sports

Other incisive questions included: "Have you got any pets?" "My Daddy always reads books on the toilet and my mum reads books on her bed.

Independent

Buffett asked incisive questions about interest and repayment rates — and dazzled several of those present with the speed with which he ran the numbers in his head.

The New Yorker

He knew how to make his guests "make news," as the television industry saying goes, either through a sequence of incisive questions or carefully placed silences.

The New York Times

Her incisive questions, and the free-flowing dialogue that results, yield vital observations regarding one prime idea: the cinema, run by men, produces movies that embody male fantasies.

The New Yorker

So the president's spokesman spent the week fielding incisive questions such as: "Would this be much more serious if the man had died?" And Mr Bush's agenda languished.Most second-term presidents have trouble getting things done.

The Economist

Instead of asking incisive questions about her role and the film, she was quizzed on being busy, tired, and asked how she managed to "focus" on different projects simultaneously.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incisive question" when you want to emphasize the intellectual sharpness and directness of a question. It is suitable for formal and professional contexts where thoughtful inquiry is valued.

Common error

Do not dilute the impact of "incisive question" by pairing it with other weak or redundant adjectives. For example, avoid phrases like "very incisive question" or "really incisive question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incisive question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "incisive" modifies the noun "question". It describes a specific quality of the question, highlighting its penetrating and insightful nature, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "incisive question" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes a question characterized by its sharpness, insightfulness, and ability to get to the core of a matter. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, often found in news media, science, and business communications. While alternatives like "penetrating question" or "insightful question" exist, "incisive question" specifically highlights both the intelligence and directness of the inquiry. When using this phrase, avoid redundancy and strive for contexts where thoughtful and probing questions are valued.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

penetrating question

Focuses on the depth and thoroughness of the question.

insightful question

Emphasizes the understanding and perception behind the question.

sharp question

Highlights the pointed and direct nature of the question.

probing question

Suggests a question that delves deeply into a subject.

thoughtful question

Indicates a question that is carefully considered.

intelligent question

Stresses the intellectual quality of the question.

astute question

Highlights the cleverness and shrewdness of the question.

revealing question

Focuses on the question's ability to uncover information.

well-reasoned question

Emphasizes the logical foundation of the question.

critical question

Highlights the importance of the question to the matter being discussed.

FAQs

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

You can use "incisive question" to describe a question that is sharp and insightful, such as, "The journalist asked an "incisive question" that revealed the politician's true motives."

What are some alternatives to "incisive question"?

Alternatives to "incisive question" include "penetrating question", "insightful question", or "sharp question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very incisive question"?

Yes, using "very" before "incisive" can be redundant because "incisive" already implies a high degree of sharpness and insight. It's better to simply use ""incisive question"".

What makes a question "incisive"?

An "incisive" question is one that cuts directly to the heart of the matter, revealing underlying issues or assumptions. It demonstrates a clear understanding and a sharp intellect.