instrumental question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instrumental question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that serves a specific purpose or function in a discussion or inquiry. Example: "In our research, we need to identify the instrumental question that will guide our investigation into the effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(This need not be means-end reasoning in the conventional sense; if, for example, our goal is the just resolution of a conflict, we must determine what constitutes justice in these particular circumstances. Here we are engaged in ethical inquiry, and are not asking a purely instrumental question).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Yet these are sentiments and concerns that clearly need to be more forcibly acknowledged as we move beyond instrumental questions of 'what works?' and 'how can technology fix education?'.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

The first pillar helps to answer instrumental questions concerning the intervention process (how does the intervention work?).

BMC Public Health

But that first justification, being instrumental, raises the question of whether certain forms of political communication are in fact likely to contribute to a vibrant sphere of public political debate.

The Economist

On the other, the theorem considered in the Appendix, i.e. Makowski and Neustadt (1974, Theorem 12.1), presents a wide enough scope of applicability to allow for a complete characterization of the solution to the instrumental program in question.

SERIEs

"You don't make instrumental calculations about questions of honor," he said.

The New Yorker

Understanding such mechanisms would thus be instrumental in addressing questions on the presence of special molecular mechanisms and on whether we can activate those programs in mammalian brains to achieve functional recovery utilizing the endogenous stem cells.

BioMed Research International

Combination of all this information with publicly available expression, DNA methylation and histone modification data can be instrumental for answering questions on epigenetic regulation and inheritance and unveiling long-range patterns of gene regulation and disease development [ 17, 19, 137].

Epigenetics and Chromatin

This question is instrumental in understanding the complexity of traits.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The aprA gene found in the T1SS operon of the WCS417 genome will be instrumental in addressing this question.

BMC Genomics

The Social Adjustment Scale is a self report 54-question instrument that measures instrumental and expressive role performance over the past two weeks.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "instrumental question", ensure the context clearly establishes that the question serves a practical purpose in achieving a specific goal or understanding a particular situation. It's not just any question, but one that is vital for progress or resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "instrumental question" when a simpler term like "important question" or "key question" would suffice. The term implies a direct link to achieving a specific outcome, and misusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instrumental question" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "instrumental" modifies "question" to specify its role or purpose. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes a question that serves as a means to achieve a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "instrumental question" is used to describe a question that serves a specific purpose or function, often as a means to achieve a particular goal or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context and purpose when using this phrase, ensuring it appropriately reflects the question's role. Alternatives like ""key question"", "essential question", or "critical question" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It's usage is common across scientific publications, news reports and formal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key question

Focuses on the importance of the question, highlighting its significance in understanding or resolving an issue.

essential question

Emphasizes the necessity of the question, suggesting it is fundamental and cannot be overlooked.

pivotal question

Highlights the turning-point nature of the question, indicating it can significantly influence subsequent actions or outcomes.

critical question

Underscores the importance and urgency of addressing the question.

determinative question

Stresses the role of the question in shaping decisions or outcomes.

crucial question

Highlights the importance and decisiveness of the question.

central question

Emphasizes that the question is core to the matter being considered.

fundamental question

Indicates that the question is a basic or foundational aspect of the topic.

significant inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", suggesting a more formal or in-depth investigation.

relevant query

Highlights that the question is pertinent and directly related to the subject at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "instrumental question" to highlight a question that is crucial for achieving a specific goal or understanding a particular situation. For instance, "Identifying the "key question" is instrumental in solving this problem."

What can I say instead of "instrumental question"?

You can use alternatives like ""key question"", "essential question", or "critical question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "instrumental question" or "important question"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. An "instrumental question" specifically implies the question is a means to an end. An "important question" is simply a question of great significance, without necessarily implying it's a tool to achieve something else.

What's the difference between "instrumental question" and "fundamental question"?

A "fundamental question" addresses foundational aspects of a topic, while an "instrumental question" focuses on practical application and achieving a specific outcome. While both can be important, their emphasis differs.