looming question

USAGE SUMMARY

"looming question" is a valid phrase in written English and can be used to refer to a pressing or difficult issue or situation.
For example, "The looming question of how to pay for college tuition has weighed heavily on the minds of many families."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His line of succession has been a looming question.

The New York Times

How huge will be a looming question this winter.

The New York Times - Sports

Isner seemed to understand the looming question after his match.

The New York Times - Sports

The looming question remains the severity of job losses.

The New York Times

The looming question is how much longer the asset purchases will continue.

The New York Times

The looming question for Mr. Crist involves who will continue to support him.

The New York Times

But the looming question is: If they build it, will application developers come?

The New York Times

But, again, the looming question is: why would he want to go anywhere else?

The New York Times - Sports

The looming question was whether normally aggressive defensive players would hold back.

The New York Times - Sports

The looming question is what will happen to these children next year.

Independent

One looming question will be whether Luck's coach, Jim Harbaugh, will be there to coach him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looming question" to introduce a problem or issue that is becoming increasingly important or urgent and needs to be addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "looming question" when referring to insignificant or easily resolved issues. This phrase is best reserved for significant, complex problems that require serious consideration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looming question" functions as a noun phrase that typically introduces a significant problem or issue that is expected to arise or needs immediate attention. Ludwig AI shows that it is often followed by "is" or "remains" to emphasize its importance. It points to inquiries or problems whose impact and relevance are growing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "looming question" is a commonly used expression to introduce a significant, often complex problem or issue that demands attention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various authoritative sources, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for formal contexts, it is important to reserve this phrase for matters of considerable importance, avoiding its use for trivial issues. Related phrases like "pressing issue" and "significant challenge" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. In summary, "looming question" effectively highlights the urgency of a situation, prompting consideration and action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressing issue

Changes the noun from "question" to "issue", emphasizing the problematic nature.

significant challenge

Replaces "question" with "challenge", highlighting the difficulty involved.

major concern

Substitutes "question" with "concern", focusing on the worry or anxiety it causes.

critical problem

Emphasizes the severity of the issue by using "critical problem".

burning question

Uses "burning" instead of "looming", conveying a sense of urgency.

unresolved matter

Focuses on the lack of resolution of the "question".

outstanding issue

Highlights that the "issue" is yet to be resolved.

principal dilemma

Replaces "question" with "dilemma", indicating a difficult choice or situation.

impending decision

Shifts the focus to the required action or "decision".

emerging problem

Focus on the problem appearing.

FAQs

How can I use "looming question" in a sentence?

You can use "looming question" to introduce a significant problem or issue that needs attention. For example, "The "looming question" is how we will address climate change in the coming years."

What are some alternatives to "looming question"?

You can use alternatives like "pressing issue", "significant challenge", or "major concern" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "looming question" in formal writing?

Yes, "looming question" is suitable for formal writing as it conveys a sense of importance and urgency. It's often used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.

What's the difference between "looming question" and "simple question"?

"Looming question" refers to a significant and often complex issue that needs to be addressed, while "simple question" refers to a straightforward inquiry that can be easily answered. A "looming question" carries much more weight and importance.