leading question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leading question" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a question that is deliberately asked in order to guide the conversation or the answer in a particular direction. For example: "Have you ever considered leaving your job?" is a leading question as it implies that the speaker is suggesting that the person considers leaving.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

A leading question is one that "leads" your conversation partner to speak at more length than a simple yes or no answer.

WikiHow

It's a leading question.

The Guardian - Arts

Or is this a leading question?

The New Yorker

THE PRESIDENT: That is a leading question.

Yale University

Therefore, you should not put a leading question upon it.

Yale University

BREAKING: poll uses leading question, gets expected result.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"To answer Oliver Smiddy's completely objective and non-leading question," writes Johs Robinson.

The Guardian - Sport

Adverse events (AE) observed by the investigators or reported by the patients spontaneously or following a non-leading question, were coded using the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Adverse events will be reported spontaneously by the patients, observed by the investigator during the follow up visits or elicited by a non-leading question.

BMC Ophthalmology

Reporters always crave this type of leading-question power that they otherwise sadly lack.

Huffington Post

ADAM GOPNIK: Leading question, surely, though I share your love for Borges.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting questions, be aware of potential biases that could lead to a "leading question". Ensure neutrality to gather unbiased information.

Common error

Do not frame questions in a way that assumes guilt or wrongdoing. This makes it a "leading question" and can damage trust and hinder open communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leading question" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a specific type of question designed to elicit a particular response. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leading question" is a common noun phrase that refers to a question designed to elicit a specific response. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across diverse fields like news, academia, science and law. When using it or discussing it, remember that its purpose is to identify and critique a non-neutral questioning strategy which can be perceived as biased or manipulative. To ensure objectivity in communication, it's beneficial to avoid framing questions that assume guilt or wrongdoing. If you aim at being more direct you can describe it as "suggestive inquiry", "biased question" or even as "loaded question".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggestive inquiry

Emphasizes the aspect of hinting at a particular answer.

biased question

Highlights the inherent partiality or prejudice in the query.

loaded question

Conveys that the question is designed to trap or implicate the respondent.

prompting question

Focuses on the action of encouraging a specific response.

steering question

Implies guiding the conversation in a predetermined direction.

directional question

Similar to steering, but emphasizes the clarity of the intended path.

guiding question

Underscores the supportive nature of the question in leading towards an answer.

manipulative question

Highlights the intent to control or influence the respondent's answer.

predetermined question

Indicates the answer is already decided or expected.

tendentious question

Emphasizes that the question promotes a particular point of view.

FAQs

How is a "leading question" different from a regular question?

A "leading question" suggests the answer or contains the information the questioner seeks, whereas a regular question aims to gather information without influencing the response.

What are some examples of a "leading question"?

Examples include "You wouldn't happen to know where he was that night, would you?" or "So, you agree that this policy is harmful, right?".

What can I say instead of posing a "leading question"?

Instead of a "leading question", try rephrasing to be more open-ended. For instance, instead of "You agree, don't you?" try asking "what are your thoughts" on the matter.

Is it always wrong to ask a "leading question"?

Not always. While generally discouraged in formal settings like courtrooms, a "leading question" might be useful in casual conversations to encourage someone to speak or clarify their position.