is not a question of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not a question of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when expressing an opinion, as in "It is not a question of whether it will happen, but when." or when emphasizing a point, as in "It is not a question of whether the risks are worth taking – they are not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not a question of mutilation.

The New Yorker

"This is not a question of expertise.

The New York Times

"It is not a question of tennis.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is not a question of perception.

The Guardian

It is not a question of price.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not a question of quality.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not a question of size.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not a question of ego.

The New York Times - Arts

This is not a question of bringing criminals to justice.

Yale University

It is not a question of the developing common law.

Cornell University

It is not a question of good or bad.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not a question of" to redirect focus from an irrelevant detail to the core issue. This helps to clarify the key point and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "is not a question of" when the point you're dismissing is actually relevant. Ensure the part you're setting aside truly doesn't impact the central argument to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not a question of" serves as a declarative statement to exclude a specific element from consideration. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, often emphasizing an opinion or redirecting focus. It introduces a clarification or correction in an argument or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not a question of" is a frequently used phrase to dismiss a specific aspect and redirect focus to the pertinent issue. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and appropriate for various writing contexts. It typically appears in news, academic, and formal settings and is used to clarify or correct a misunderstanding by excluding something from consideration. Alternatives include phrases such as "is not a matter of" or "is not an issue of". Remember to use it when redirecting focus and to avoid misusing it in relevant contexts to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not about

A simpler phrasing indicating the subject is unrelated to a specific topic.

is not a matter of

This alternative replaces "question" with "matter", focusing on the irrelevance of a particular issue.

is not an issue of

Substituting "question" with "issue" emphasizes that the topic is not the central problem.

is independent of

Indicates that the subject stands alone and is not influenced by a particular aspect.

is unrelated to

Directly states that there is no connection between the subject and a particular point.

is not contingent on

Emphasizes that the outcome is not dependent on a specific condition or factor.

is beyond the scope of

This phrase suggests that the topic is outside the current discussion or consideration.

does not revolve around

Highlights that the central theme is different from the suggested topic.

is beside the point

Suggests the mentioned topic is irrelevant to the current discussion or situation.

concerns something other than

This clarifies that the focus should be on an alternative aspect rather than the one mentioned.

FAQs

How can I use "is not a question of" in a sentence?

Use "is not a question of" to emphasize that something is about one thing and not another. For example, "It "is not a question of" price, but quality".

What can I say instead of "is not a question of"?

You can use alternatives like "is not a matter of", "is not an issue of", or "is beyond the scope of depending on the context".

When is it appropriate to use "is not a question of"?

It's appropriate when you want to redirect the focus from an irrelevant aspect to the core issue. Ensure the dismissed point truly doesn't impact the central argument.

What's the difference between "is not a question of" and "is not about"?

"Is not a question of" is a more formal way of saying "is not about". Both are used to clarify that something concerns one aspect rather than another, but the former carries a slightly stronger emphasis.