major question

USAGE SUMMARY

"major question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to emphasize that a question is an important one. For example, "What will be the economic impact of the pandemic is a major question that needs to be addressed".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And their chemistry remains a major question.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Chávez's health is a major question.

The New York Times

A major question, beyond the culpability of A.E.G.

The New York Times

Then the senator asks a major question: was the C.I.O.

The New York Times

They're major question marks".

The New York Times - Sports

One major question, though, remains.

The Guardian - Books

"Technology is complicated, and the major question would be: what would it be introduced for?

Independent

Another major question would have been whether Lindh's lawyers would have let him testify.

The New Yorker

But a major question remained: Did removing the polyps really save lives?

The New York Times - Health

One major question is whether Mr. Bulger will take the stand in his own defense.

The New York Times

A major question now is who will pay for the drug.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "major question" when you want to emphasize the significance of a question that needs to be addressed or considered carefully.

Common error

While "major question" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Consider simpler alternatives like "big question" or "main question" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major question" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "major" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "question". This combination emphasizes the significance or importance of the question being posed. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this structure through numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major question" is a common and grammatically correct way to emphasize the importance of a query, as verified by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral to formal, it should be used judiciously in casual settings. Alternatives such as ""key question"" or ""primary concern"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. Ludwig provides ample examples demonstrating the phrase's widespread usage and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key question

Replaces "major" with "key", emphasizing the question's importance as a central element.

primary concern

Shifts the focus to the level of worry or interest that question causes.

central issue

Highlights the question as the focal point of a discussion or problem.

critical inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "major" with "critical", underscoring the importance of the question.

significant problem

Focuses on the problematic nature of a certain topic.

pressing matter

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the issue being questioned.

fundamental challenge

Highlights the question as a basic obstacle to overcome.

principal dilemma

Replaces question with dilemma, highlighting that it may have more than one solution.

overriding issue

Highlights a question that takes precedence over other considerations.

burning question

Replaces "major" with "burning", emphasizing the urgency of the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "major question" to highlight the importance of an issue, as in "A "major question" is whether the company can adapt to the changing market".

What are some alternatives to "major question"?

Alternatives include "key question", "central issue", or "primary concern". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "important question" the same as "major question"?

While similar, "major question" often implies a greater level of significance or broader implications than simply an "important question". Use "major question" when the issue has substantial consequences.

When is it appropriate to use "major question" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing, news articles, academic papers, or any situation where you want to emphasize the importance of a question that needs serious consideration. Avoid it in overly casual contexts, where it might sound too formal.