notional question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notional question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a question is theoretical or abstract rather than practical or direct. Example: "In our discussion about ethics, we often encounter a notional question: what is the nature of justice?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It should be pointed out that Bartz was responding to a notional question.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The MAIL Scale, comprised three parts and asked the patient to answer 'yes' or 'no' to a series of 19 questions relating to notional mechanical and inflammatory back pain.

Chiropractic and Manual Therapies

The central problem with Waitt's notional journey of discovery is that the question "Why do you think we split up?" is fundamentally dishonest: he knows why, and so do his exes.

Independent

Pay which was represented by a single question item was included as a notional eighth factor.

BMC Nursing

To test this, I used the SDLT calculator recommended by the guidance notes and it applied the normal SDLT rates to a notional purchase of £400,000 after I answered yes to the questions: "Will the purchase of the property result in owning two or more properties?" and: "Is the property being purchased replacing your main residence?".

The Guardian - Money

The music, by Marvin Hamlisch, features some clever lyrics by Craig Carnelia, which neither advance the notional plot nor illuminate the emotional or literary issues, like the gnarly question of what is properly "fact" and what is properly "fiction".

The New Yorker

The notional goal is for people to come together to learn about the field in question: some detailed specifics, some new announcements, and an overall general view of the state of the art, all under one roof.

TechCrunch

If we're going to pretend to hold Mr Ryan to his notional Randian standards, perhaps we ought to at least see what Rand actually said on this question.

The Economist

With regard to these underlying comparisons, Gayer says, "On another level we are struck by the permanent notional commingling of the simian and the human, a composition which leaves us pensive and asks the legitimate question where we, who consider ourselves sapiens in a double sense, should finally classify man".

Wikipedia

The question they ask themselves is: Who would be the first name on the team-sheet for a notional World XI to play Mars?

The New York Times - Sports

"For those who question the level of the de minimis, we considered the threshold in the context of an overall $300 trillion notional swaps market," he said, noting that $8 billion was hardly significant amid this huge market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notional question" when you want to emphasize that a question is based on a hypothetical or theoretical scenario, rather than a real or practical one. This is particularly useful in academic discussions or thought experiments.

Common error

Avoid using "notional" when you mean "notable". "Notional" refers to something theoretical or hypothetical, while "notable" means something worthy of attention. Using them interchangeably will lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notional question" functions as a noun phrase, where "notional" modifies the noun "question". According to Ludwig, it is used to describe a question that is hypothetical, theoretical, or based on an assumption rather than concrete reality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notional question" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a question that is theoretical, hypothetical, or based on an assumption. While it's not a very common phrase, appearing rarely in the Ludwig database, it finds its usage across various contexts, from news and media to science and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is appropriate for formal writing and discussions where abstract or conceptual inquiries are relevant. For those seeking alternatives, phrases like ""hypothetical question"" or "theoretical question" can serve as effective substitutes, depending on the specific context and intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hypothetical question

Replaces "notional" with "hypothetical", emphasizing the conditional or assumed nature of the question.

theoretical question

Substitutes "notional" with "theoretical", highlighting the abstract and conceptual aspect of the question.

purely theoretical question

Adds "purely" to reinforce the entirely theoretical nature of the question.

abstract question

Replaces "notional" with "abstract", focusing on the question's lack of concrete or practical application.

conceptual question

Uses "conceptual" instead of "notional", stressing the question's reliance on ideas and concepts.

question in theory

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the theoretical aspect, rather than the notional quality.

speculative question

Emphasizes the conjectural or uncertain nature of the question.

idealized question

Indicates that the question exists in an idealized or perfect form, often detached from reality.

academic question

Suggests the question is primarily of interest in scholarly or intellectual contexts.

contrived question

This phrase implies the question is artificially created or devised for a specific purpose, often in a debate or discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "notional question" to refer to a question that is theoretical or hypothetical rather than practical. For example: "The discussion began with a "hypothetical question" about the nature of justice".

What's the difference between "notional question" and "theoretical question"?

While similar, "notional question" emphasizes the hypothetical or assumed nature, while "theoretical question" focuses more on the abstract and conceptual aspect.

What are some alternatives to "notional question"?

Alternatives include ""hypothetical question"", "abstract question", or "conceptual question", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "notional question" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "notional question" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic or philosophical contexts where theoretical discussions are common.