linger on the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "linger on the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of spending extra time considering or reflecting on a particular question or topic. Example: "During the meeting, we decided to linger on the question of budget allocation to ensure everyone had a chance to voice their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The episodes, staged with ruthless simplicity by Jim Simpson, do not linger on the question of when life begins (although it is suggested in the last act that new technology has complicated the issue) so much as they forcefully and didactically question whether an abortion is a woman's choice to make.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As the visit wore on, the question lingered of how to strengthen the bonds forged in Havana.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Herzog doesn't linger on the larger questions, being more interested in the details of bad choices, last meals and family visits.

The New York Times - Arts

With so many applications to process, they did not linger on these questions.

The New York Times

Finally, there will always linger the question of leadership.

TechCrunch

But as boardroom deals are made, questions continue to linger on the viability of the project.

The Guardian

Long lingers the question: Why?

Huffington Post

Belichick earned two Super Bowl rings with the Giants and now he has another one with the Patriots, but as he awaits his 50th birthday on April 16, the question lingers: why did he desert the Jets?

The New York Times - Sports

Dr. Robert Cantu, the chief of neurosurgery and director of sports medicine at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass., said the health risks for football at this age were "hard to come down on," but the question lingers about why these games are played.

The New York Times - Sports

A Question Lingers on the Irish Border: What's Next?

The New York Times - Books

A broader question also lingered on the minds of energy experts and analysts this week: In the state's volatile wildfire environment, how can these large utilities still run their businesses amid a continued and perhaps existential threat of financial exposure?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context; while "linger on the question" is acceptable, synonyms like "dwell on the question" or "focus on the question" might be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "linger on the question" repetitively in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "deliberate", "contemplate", or "reflect" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "linger on the question" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as part of a larger sentence structure. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests a prolonged focus or contemplation on a particular issue or query, as exemplified by the provided contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "linger on the question" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a prolonged focus or contemplation on a specific query. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, implying a neutral register. While synonyms like "dwell on the question" or "focus on the question" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance the writer intends to convey. The usage of this phrase is generally considered appropriate, though overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dwell on the question

Replaces "linger" with "dwell", suggesting a more emphatic or prolonged consideration.

focus on the question

Replaces "linger" with "focus", emphasizing attention to the query.

deliberate on the question

Uses "deliberate" instead of "linger", implying careful and thorough consideration.

contemplate the question

Replaces "linger on" with "contemplate", suggesting a thoughtful reflection.

reflect on the question

Uses "reflect" to convey thoughtful consideration of the matter.

ponder the question

Employs "ponder" to indicate deep thought and consideration.

meditate on the question

Replaces "linger" with "meditate", implying a deeper and more spiritual reflection.

chew over the question

Uses "chew over", a more informal expression for pondering the issue.

give thought to the question

Rephrases the idea to emphasize the act of giving consideration.

turn over the question in one's mind

Presents a more elaborate way of expressing prolonged thinking about the question.

FAQs

How can I use "linger on the question" in a sentence?

You can use "linger on the question" to indicate a prolonged consideration of a topic, as in, "During the meeting, we decided to "linger on the question" of budget allocation to ensure everyone had a chance to voice their opinions."

What are some alternatives to "linger on the question"?

You can use alternatives like "dwell on the question", "focus on the question", or "contemplate the question" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "linger on the question" or "linger over the question"?

"Linger on the question" is more commonly used to emphasize the act of prolonged thought or discussion, whereas "linger over" often implies a more physical or sensory experience. Therefore, ""linger on the question"" is typically more appropriate in abstract contexts.

What's the difference between "linger on the question" and "address the question"?

"Linger on the question" implies spending significant time considering a question, while "address the question" means dealing with or answering the question directly. The former suggests contemplation, while the latter suggests action.