ordinary questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ordinary questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to questions that are typical and not particularly detailed or difficult. For example, "We asked the candidate a few ordinary questions to get to know them better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But ISIS keeps on defying ordinary questions.

The New Yorker

She had asked him some stupid ordinary questions.

The New Yorker

On a brief foray abroad this summer, he managed, in rapid order, to insult the British, to pander crudely to Benjamin Netanyahu in order to win the votes and contributions of his conservative Jewish and Evangelical supporters, and to dodge ordinary questions from the press in Poland.

The New Yorker

The whole point of the now infamous television show is its cheery contempt for those workaday contestants who struggle to answer ordinary questions and then often blow their chances for the big money by choosing to go with what they've won instead of risking it all on one more try.

The New York Times - Arts

Henry's most concentrated attention to skeptical issues occurs in the first two questions of his Summa Quaestionum Ordinariarum (Ordinary Questions).

SEP

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"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

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

Lingua

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ordinary questions" when you want to emphasize that the questions being asked are not complex or unusual, but rather typical and straightforward inquiries.

Common error

While "ordinary questions" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be expected. Consider if a more specific adjective would better convey the nature of the questions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ordinary questions" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ordinary" modifies the noun "questions". It describes the type or characteristic of the questions being asked. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ordinary questions" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear expression used to describe inquiries that are commonplace or typical. While considered correct, Ludwig's examples suggest it has a relatively low frequency, primarily appearing in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider more specific alternatives if greater nuance is required, particularly in formal settings. As Ludwig AI suggests, the term is most appropriately used when aiming to convey that the questions posed are simple and expected, not complex or unusual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical questions

Replaces "ordinary" with a synonym emphasizing commonness.

common questions

Substitutes "ordinary" with "common", highlighting frequency and lack of uniqueness.

routine questions

Focuses on the standard and habitual nature of the questions.

standard questions

Emphasizes the conformity to a norm or expectation.

usual questions

Indicates questions that are generally expected or anticipated.

everyday questions

Highlights the commonplace occurrence of such questions in daily life.

basic questions

Implies questions that are simple and fundamental.

simple questions

Focuses on the uncomplicated nature of the questions.

general questions

Indicates a broad and non-specific nature of inquiry.

mundane questions

Highlights the lack of excitement or interest in the questions.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "ordinary questions"?

You can use alternatives like "typical questions", "common questions", or "routine questions" depending on the context.

How do I use "ordinary questions" in a sentence?

You can use "ordinary questions" to describe inquiries that are not complex or unusual. For example, "The interviewer asked a series of ordinary questions to assess the candidate's basic knowledge."

Is it correct to say "ordinarily questions" instead of "ordinary questions"?

No, "ordinarily" is an adverb and doesn't fit here. The correct phrase is "ordinary questions", where "ordinary" is an adjective modifying the noun "questions".

What is the difference between "ordinary questions" and "complex questions"?

"Ordinary questions" refer to simple, typical inquiries, while "complex questions" are more intricate and require deeper thought or specialized knowledge to answer.