invites the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"invites the question" is a valid phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to point out that a certain statement or situation invites someone to ask a question. For example, "The rise of the stock market in recent days invites the question: will it continue to rise?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Tall invites the question, how tall?

The Guardian - Books

Which invites the question: so what's all the fuss about?

The Guardian

All this invites the question: are Australia playing games themselves?

The Guardian - Sport

Which invites the question: what does Rambert actually stand for?

The Guardian

To do so, regulation requires that they become exchanges.Which invites the question: what is an exchange?

The Economist

It then invites the question: is this alternative to divestment scientifically credible?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It invited the question what other things he might believe in.

The Guardian - Sport

But his foray into the jungle does invite the question: is there anyone listed in Spotlight or, indeed, in the phone book who hasn't been asked?

The Guardian - Opinion

Selling off any part of the estate for cash would not, as I understand it, be an option for the winner, which seems to invite the question of exactly how you define ownership.

Independent

For example, they invite the question, in virtue of what is the mind constrained to locate a bit of information at one spatial or temporal location rather than another?

SEP

We invite the question: "So what?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "invites the question" to smoothly transition into a relevant inquiry arising from a preceding statement or situation. Ensure the question is directly pertinent to the context you've established.

Common error

Avoid using "invites the question" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. While acceptable, consider more precise alternatives like "prompts an investigation" or "warrants further analysis" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invites the question" functions as a transitional device to introduce a query that logically follows from the preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically sound construction for prompting further inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "invites the question" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a question that logically arises from a previous statement. As Ludwig AI validates, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in diverse contexts, especially within News & Media and Science. While its register is mostly neutral, writers should consider more sophisticated alternatives for highly formal contexts. Remember to use this phrase to create smooth transitions and encourage thoughtful consideration of the issues you are discussing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prompts the question

Replaces "invites" with "prompts", indicating a slightly more direct instigation of the question.

raises the question

Substitutes "invites" with "raises", suggesting a gentle introduction of the question for consideration.

begs the question

Uses "begs" instead of "invites", implying that the question is an obvious or unavoidable consequence.

leads to the question

Replaces "invites" with "leads to", indicating a sequential progression towards the question.

gives rise to the question

Uses "gives rise to" instead of "invites", suggesting that the question emerges as a natural result of the preceding context.

poses the question

Replaces "invites" with "poses", indicating a formal presentation of the question.

prompts an inquiry into

Replaces "the question" with "an inquiry into", suggesting a broader investigation.

calls for consideration of

Replaces "invites the question" with a more formal expression that emphasizes the need for thoughtful deliberation.

warrants further investigation into

Indicates that a deeper examination or analysis is justified, instead of simply prompting a question.

suggests the inquiry

Uses "suggests" to imply that the context subtly hints at a question.

FAQs

How can I use "invites the question" in a sentence?

Use "invites the question" to introduce a question that naturally arises from a previous statement. For example, "The company's increased profits invite the question: How will they be reinvested?"

What can I say instead of "invites the question"?

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

Is it grammatically correct to use "invites the question"?

Yes, "invites the question" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal writing. It's a common way to introduce a question that naturally follows from a given statement or situation.

When is it best to use "invites the question"?

It's best to use "invites the question" when you want to smoothly transition from a statement of fact or observation to a relevant inquiry that logically arises from it. This creates a natural flow of thought for the reader.