leave the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"leave the question" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might say, "I can't answer this question, so I'll just leave the question unanswered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let's leave the question mark there.

The New York Times - Arts

This does leave the question of how liberal and conservative policy stances are defined.

The New York Times

Of course, it does still leave the question of how to pay for it.

The Guardian - Opinion

As long as she never told anybody of her trials, I could leave the question open.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Even so, wouldn't a narrow margin of victory for either side leave the question unsettled?

The Guardian

But even the finest programs leave the question of who will watch.

The New York Times

That would seem to leave the question of Internet access in North Korea moot.

The New York Times - Tech

Herr Ballin has refused the offer I made some time ago to leave the question to an arbitrator for settlement".

The New York Times

The producer fell shy of definitive statements, preferring to leave the question open-ended: "Will he stop?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This would meet any need that might exist and still leave the question of caring for the aged up to the individual.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Supporters of judicial restraint would like to leave the question to state legislatures (most of which would surely vote to maintain the status quo).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "leave the question", ensure the context clearly indicates who is deferring the question and why. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "leave the question" without specifying who is leaving the question unanswered. For instance, instead of saying 'This leaves the question,' specify 'Researchers leave the question' to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave the question" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of deferring or setting aside a particular question or issue. As evidenced by Ludwig, this expression is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leave the question" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the act of setting aside or deferring a specific issue or inquiry. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in diverse contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and general discussions. While versatile, it's important to maintain clarity regarding who is deferring the question to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "defer the matter" and "shelve the issue" offer similar meanings but may vary in formality or nuance. Using the phrase effectively involves ensuring the context clearly indicates who is deferring the question and the rationale behind it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defer the matter

Implies postponing a decision or action on a particular issue.

put the question aside

Indicates temporarily ignoring a question or problem.

shelve the issue

Suggests putting something aside, possibly indefinitely.

table the question

Means to postpone discussion of a topic indefinitely or until a later time.

hold the question in abeyance

A more formal way of saying to postpone or suspend the question.

not address the question

Focuses on the act of avoidance rather than postponement.

remain silent on the question

Emphasizes a deliberate choice not to comment or provide an answer.

bypass the question

Suggests actively avoiding a question, often to move on to other topics.

evade the question

Implies skillfully avoiding answering a question directly.

punt on the question

An informal expression meaning to avoid or postpone dealing with an issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "leave the question" to indicate that a particular issue or inquiry remains unresolved or unaddressed. For example, "Further research is needed, and for now, we must "leave the question" of its long-term effects open."

What's the difference between "leave the question" and "abandon the question"?

"Leave the question" suggests a temporary deferral or postponement, while "abandon the question" implies a permanent cessation of inquiry or consideration.

Are there more formal alternatives to "leave the question"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "defer the matter", "hold the question in abeyance", or "table the question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what kind of writing is it most appropriate to use "leave the question"?

The phrase ""leave the question"" is suitable for a variety of writing contexts, including academic papers, news articles, and general discussions where an issue is acknowledged but not fully resolved. Its appropriateness depends on maintaining clarity about who is deferring the question.