less of a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is not fully or clearly a question. Example: "The statement he made sounded more like a demand than a question. It had less of a question and more of an order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"And there's less of a question about any kind of existential threat".

The Guardian - Business

But twenty-five years later, it has become less of a question and more of a prayer.

The New Yorker

It's less of a question and more of a statement, really.

Vice

For many women, working is less of a question and more of a mandate.

Huffington Post

Maybe it's less of a question of being a girl or a boy, and now it's less important.

Vice

In keeping with this, a trail of middle-aged men melted into fanboys during the Q+A, including one who had less of a question and more of a gush.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

And that's related to nothing less than a question of the legitimacy of the ruling Communist Party, wrote Mr. Deng: "For a long time, the legitimacy of the Chinese government has been based on two things.

The New York Times

Viewed this way, procrastination starts to look less like a question of mere ignorance than like a complex mixture of weakness, ambition, and inner conflict.

The New Yorker

"The woman question," she wrote, "is nothing more or less than a question of human rights.

Vice

The question of environmental harm is therefore less a question of the technology itself than of the capacity to manage it.

FAO

To claim that the popularity of these Web sites, TV shows and films proves that they're what women truly want is rather like saying that supermarket shoppers want those hard, pink, tasteless tomatoes; it's less a question of preference than of choice (or lack of choice) and availability.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of a question", ensure the context clearly indicates what the alternative interpretation (e.g., statement, invitation) might be to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "less of a question" when you simply mean that the question is unimportant or irrelevant. The phrase implies a reinterpretation, not a dismissal, so make sure the phrase can be substituted for a different type of expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a question" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something presented as a question does not fully fulfill that role and is better understood in a different light. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage for expressing doubt or reinterpretation of an utterance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less of a question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to subtly challenge or reinterpret an utterance, suggesting that it functions more effectively as something other than a question. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly deployed when reinterpreting an utterance's intended meaning. While its usage isn't exceedingly common, it's widely accepted across various contexts, especially in news and media. Remember, while you can use the phrase confidently, ensure clarity about the alternative interpretation to prevent miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not really a question

Directly denies the validity of the statement as a question.

not so much a question

Downplays the questioning aspect of the statement.

hardly a question

Implies that the statement barely qualifies as a question.

less of an inquiry

Replaces question with the synonym inquiry.

more of an assertion

Shifts the emphasis from questioning to stating a fact.

more like a statement

Reinterprets the question as a declarative sentence.

it's debatable whether it's a question

Highlights the uncertainty of it being a real question.

tends to be a statement

Highlights how a phrase seems like it wants to be a statement but it doesn't.

verges on a statement

Highlights how a phrase seems like it wants to be a statement but it doesn't.

approaches a statement

Highlights how a phrase seems like it wants to be a statement but it doesn't.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a question" in a sentence?

Use "less of a question" to indicate that something presented as a question is actually functioning as something else, like a statement or suggestion. For example, "His comment was less of a question and "more of an accusation"".

What's a good alternative to "less of a question"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more like a statement", "not really a question", or "hardly a question" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less of a question"?

Yes, the phrase "less of a question" is grammatically correct. It is used to express that something presented as a question functions more effectively as something else.

What is the difference between "less of a question" and "more of a question"?

"Less of a question" implies that something isn't really a question and is better understood as something else, while "more of a question" means something is significantly a question than something else. They have opposite meanings and uses.