ordinary question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is typical or common in nature, often in contrast to more complex or unusual inquiries. Example: "During the meeting, I asked an ordinary question about the project's timeline, and everyone seemed to agree with my concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

While an ordinary question seeks information or an answer from the hearer, a rhetorical question does not expect to elicit an answer.

Lingua

"How would you like your eggs?" This ordinary question turned fraught during the past two weeks, when a salmonella outbreak, originating on two farms in….

The New Yorker

"How would you like your eggs?" This ordinary question turned fraught during the past two weeks, when a salmonella outbreak, originating on two farms in Iowa, caused the recall of more than half a billion eggs.

The New Yorker

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — One morning two months ago, Shamsia Husseini and her sister were walking through the muddy streets to the local girls school when a man pulled alongside them on a motorcycle and posed what seemed like an ordinary question.

The New York Times

By Michael Schulman "How would you like your eggs?" This ordinary question turned fraught during the past two weeks, when a salmonella outbreak, originating on two farms in Iowa, caused the recall of more than half a billion eggs.

The New Yorker

If you see something that is out of the ordinary, question it.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But ISIS keeps on defying ordinary questions.

The New Yorker

She had asked him some stupid ordinary questions.

The New Yorker

This class will enable students to turn ordinary questions into statements that the database can understand.

Stanford University

To put it another way, I think that Mr. Handke has an aversion to ordinary questions.

The New York Times

I show that rhetorical questions and ordinary questions do not pattern alike with respect to various well-formedness conditions, such as negative polarity item licensing.

Lingua

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary question" when you want to emphasize that the question being asked is unremarkable or typical. This can set a contrast against more complex or unexpected inquiries.

Common error

While "ordinary" implies commonness, don't assume an "ordinary question" lacks significance. Even simple inquiries can reveal crucial information or spark important discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary question" typically functions as a noun phrase, where 'ordinary' modifies the noun 'question'. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is used to denote a typical or unremarkable inquiry, as opposed to a complex or unusual one.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ordinary question" is a noun phrase used to describe an inquiry that is typical, common, or unremarkable. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase itself doesn't dictate a specific tone, it's generally used in neutral contexts across various domains such as news, science, and academia. Remember that while "ordinary" implies commonness, it doesn't necessarily diminish the importance of the question itself. Alternatives like "common question", "typical question", and "simple question" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common question

Replaces "ordinary" with "common", emphasizing the frequency of the question.

typical question

Uses "typical" instead of "ordinary", highlighting the usual nature of the question.

simple question

Substitutes "ordinary" with "simple", focusing on the straightforwardness of the inquiry.

standard question

Replaces "ordinary" with "standard", indicating the question is a normal part of a process or situation.

routine question

Uses "routine" to suggest the question is asked regularly and without surprise.

conventional question

Replaces "ordinary" with "conventional", emphasizing that the question aligns with established norms.

regular question

Uses "regular" to show the question is asked at consistent intervals or is common.

usual question

Substitutes "ordinary" with "usual", marking the question as not out of the ordinary.

everyday question

Emphasizes that the question is something you would expect to hear or ask on a daily basis.

basic question

Highlights the fundamental or foundational nature of the question, in contrast to complex or advanced inquiries.

FAQs

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

You can use "ordinary question" to describe a typical or unremarkable inquiry, such as, "She asked an "ordinary question" about the weather to break the ice".

What are some alternatives to "ordinary question"?

Alternatives include "common question", "typical question", or "simple question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "ordinary question" in formal writing?

Yes, "ordinary question" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, consider whether a more precise term like "standard inquiry" might be more suitable depending on the context.

What's the difference between "ordinary question" and "rhetorical question"?

An "ordinary question" seeks information, while a "rhetorical question" is asked for effect and does not expect an answer.