it bears asking

USAGE SUMMARY

"it bears asking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a way of saying that something is worthy of being asked or inquired about. For example, you can say, "Given the current climate, it bears asking how the new policy will fare long-term."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"It bears asking again now".

The New York Times

It bears asking whether these factors (e.g. clinical disease, active infection, state of previous immunity), when affecting a group, can cause variation in the performance of different diagnostic tests.

Veterinary Microbiology

The road to hell indeed might be paved with good intentions, and it bears asking whether the road to healthcare is inversely plagued.

Huffington Post

Since you were so quick to jump to the very worst conclusion, it bears asking -- is this job still the place for you?

Huffington Post

As for consumers, it bears asking whether they're really any better off paying high prices for oil that's pumped close to home versus crude that's imported from overseas.

Huffington Post

Given his outright dominance of NFL defenses at the start of his career, it bears asking: Has any top quarterback in recent memory been as mishandled in his career as Washington has done with Griffin? .

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But, lately, it is a question that bears asking due to the increasing amount of black bodies populating city streets and morgues.

Huffington Post

While I cannot say definitively, without significant polling data to back it up that there is an Obama backlash afoot, the question bears asking.

Huffington Post

And will they persist or give way to a global mobile culture?Such questions bear asking.

The Economist

"But I do think, again, it bears all of us asking what the costs are of having such a narrow range of stories that we constantly go back to.

Huffington Post

Almost every tattoo artist will tell you this before she starts, but it bears repeating: you should ask your artist to take a break if the pain ever becomes too much.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "it bears asking" to re-introduce a question previously posed but not adequately addressed, signaling its continued importance.

Common error

While "it bears asking" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "it's worth questioning" or "it is relevant to ask" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it bears asking" functions as an introductory device. It sets up a question that the speaker or writer deems worthy of consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts, marking it as grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it bears asking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a question that is deemed relevant or important. While considered uncommon in frequency, Ludwig AI examples show its use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives like "it's worth questioning" can add variety to your writing. Remember to use the phrase judiciously to avoid repetition. Overall, this phrase is a useful tool for prompting reflection and analysis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is relevant to ask

Directly states the relevance of posing the question.

it's worth questioning

Focuses on the value of the question, similar to "it bears asking" but slightly more direct.

it is important to ask

Highlights the importance of the question, slightly stronger than "it bears asking".

it merits consideration

Emphasizes the importance of thinking about something, shifting the focus from asking to considering.

the question is worth posing

Highlights the act of asking the question itself, rather than its inherent relevance.

it is pertinent to inquire

More formal and emphasizes the relevance of the inquiry.

it prompts the question

Highlights what triggers the inquiry, differing from simply stating the importance of asking.

one might well ask

Suggests that the question is an obvious one that should be asked.

we should consider

Focuses on the act of consideration rather than the necessity of the question.

the issue deserves scrutiny

Shifts the focus to a detailed examination of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "it bears asking" in a sentence?

You can use "it bears asking" to introduce a question that is important or relevant to a discussion. For instance, "Given the current economic climate, "it bears asking" whether these policies are sustainable."

What phrases are similar to "it bears asking"?

Alternatives to "it bears asking" include "it's worth questioning", "it is relevant to ask", or "it merits consideration", each varying slightly in nuance.

Is "it bears asking" formal or informal?

"It bears asking" is suitable for both neutral and slightly formal contexts. It's commonly found in news articles, professional writing, and academic discussions, but can also appear in more casual settings.

What does "it bears asking" actually mean?

"It bears asking" means that a particular question is important, relevant, or necessary to consider or inquire about. It implies that the question is worth posing due to its significance in a given situation.