it begs the question why

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it begs the question why" is not entirely correct in standard English usage.
The expression "begs the question" is typically used to indicate that an argument or statement assumes the truth of the very thing it is trying to prove, rather than to ask why something is the case. Example: "The proposal to increase funding for education begs the question of whether the current system is effective."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It begs the question, Why?

The New York Times

It begs the question: why do they do it?

The Guardian

It begs the question, why did he leave?

The Guardian - Arts

This close to the Loch Earne Summit, it begs the question: why not?

Independent

And it begs the question: why are people so obsessed with changes to people's faces?

Independent

So it begs the question why are we all looking to play the same game?

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

We don't know if this will turn into a temporary stay or exile, but in either case, it begs the questions why someone like Chen Guangcheng cannot freely operate in China.

The Guardian

It begged the question: Why not come back?

The New York Times - Sports

While I was ecstatic at the news, it begged the question: why the chest pains?

Huffington Post

When People magazine dubbed the singer thus in its annual "50 Most Beautiful" list yesterday, it begged the questions "Why?" and "Why now?" The arch-gorgeousness of Ms Knowles has been a hot topic since the days of "Crazy In Love" (discounting how beautiful she was during the Destiny's Child era, of course).

Independent

"It almost begs the question why does Kick It Out bother?" PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle said he thought the organisation had made a mistake hiring Hunter but refused to criticise the content of his set at the awards ceremony.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "raises the question of why" or "prompts the question of why" for greater clarity and to avoid potential misinterpretations of the phrase's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "it begs the question why" when you actually mean "it raises the question why". The former implies a logical fallacy, while the latter simply introduces a question.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it begs the question why" functions as a discourse marker, introducing a question that arises from a preceding statement or situation. Although, according to Ludwig AI, it is not entirely correct in standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it begs the question why" is commonly used, particularly in news and media, to introduce a question prompted by a previous statement. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is not entirely correct, because "begging the question" technically refers to a logical fallacy. Alternatives like "it raises the question of why" might be more precise. The phrase functions as a discourse marker, encouraging further inquiry. The register is generally neutral, though more formal options exist for certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it raises the question of why

Replaces "begs the question" with "raises the question", offering a more direct and less debated phrasing.

it prompts the question of why

Similar to 'raises the question', but uses 'prompts' to suggest a more immediate or obvious inquiry.

it leads one to ask why

Emphasizes the personal aspect of questioning, suggesting a natural progression of thought.

it makes you wonder why

Uses more informal language to convey a sense of curiosity or puzzlement.

it invites the question of why

Presents the situation as naturally leading to a specific line of inquiry.

the question arises as to why

Formalizes the inquiry, presenting it as an inevitable outcome of the situation.

one might reasonably ask why

Introduces a sense of logical reasoning and expectation in the questioning.

this gives rise to the question of why

Highlights the causal relationship between the situation and the subsequent questioning.

this causes us to ask why

Focuses on the direct causation of the question, emphasizing the impact of the situation.

the logical question is why

Positions the question as the most sensible and rational response to the circumstances.

FAQs

What does "it begs the question why" mean?

While often used to introduce a question, "it begs the question why" technically means that an argument assumes the conclusion it's trying to prove. Many consider its use to simply mean "it raises the question why" to be an incorrect usage.

Is "it begs the question why" grammatically correct?

The phrase is often used colloquially to mean "it raises the question why", but this usage is disputed. Some argue that it misuses the original meaning of "begging the question", which refers to a logical fallacy.

What can I say instead of "it begs the question why"?

You can use alternatives like "it raises the question of why", "it prompts the question of why", or "it leads one to ask why" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "it begs the question why" and "it raises the question why"?

"It begs the question why" technically indicates a logical fallacy where the premise assumes the conclusion. "It raises the question of why" simply introduces a question for consideration, without implying a fallacy.