overriding question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overriding question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the most important or dominant question in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In the debate about climate change, the overriding question remains: how can we effectively reduce carbon emissions?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the heart of the debate lays one, overriding question: what is Pakistan's strategic value to the US?

The Guardian - Opinion

"There is one overriding question for my caucus colleagues, and that is who is best placed to defeat Tony Abbott at the next election," he said.

The New York Times

For Thomas R. Saving ("A Social Security Solution," Op-Ed, Aug. 12), the "overriding" question about Social Security is whether it should "save and invest for the future".

The New York Times

Mr. Poundstone's book asks one overriding question: "Is it possible to devise a fair way of voting, one immune to vote splitting?" The answer requires some historical context: a brief history of elections gone terribly awry.

The New York Times

This overriding question changes your approach to each of the other five BRAVE leadership questions: 1) Where to play?

Huffington Post

Francesca immediately let them know that she was there to help answer one overriding question: What did Mrs. G. really want?

Huffington Post

The bigger and overriding question is what is or should be the purpose of education in the United States of America.

Huffington Post

During every investigation, one overriding question recurs: which case-patients related to the outbreak are part of the chain of transmission and are not unrelated, sporadic cases?

Emerging Infectious Diseases

"What was the overriding question?

The New Yorker

It also leads to one overriding question.

The Guardian - Money

The overriding question is whether the old way had merit.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "overriding question", ensure that the question you're highlighting truly represents the most critical issue at stake. This helps maintain clarity and focus in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "overriding question" when referring to minor or peripheral issues. Reserve it for the most significant and impactful questions to maintain its emphasis and avoid diluting its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding question" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant or dominant query within a given context. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable. It serves to foreground the central issue for consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overriding question" is used to highlight the most significant or dominant inquiry in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, though its frequency is uncommon. It's primarily found in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure it truly represents the most critical issue to maintain clarity and emphasis. Related phrases include "key question" and "main question", offering alternative ways to express the central inquiry. Its usage indicates a focus on emphasizing the primary point of inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key question

Replaces "overriding" with "key", indicating a central point but with a slightly less forceful emphasis.

main question

Substitutes "overriding" with "main", simplifying the expression while retaining the focus on the primary inquiry.

central question

Uses "central" instead of "overriding", highlighting the core issue under consideration.

primary question

Employs "primary" in place of "overriding", stressing the fundamental nature of the inquiry.

fundamental question

Similar to "primary question", but emphasizes the foundational aspect of the inquiry.

most important question

Replaces "overriding" with a descriptive phrase, explicitly stating the significance of the question.

critical question

Uses "critical" to underscore the vital importance of the question being asked.

pressing question

Indicates that the question demands immediate attention, adding a sense of urgency.

dominant question

Highlights the question that prevails or has the most influence in a discussion.

ultimate question

Points to the final or conclusive inquiry that needs to be addressed.

FAQs

How to use "overriding question" in a sentence?

The phrase "overriding question" is used to emphasize the most important question in a particular context. For example, "The overriding question is whether the new policy will effectively reduce poverty."

What can I say instead of "overriding question"?

You can use alternatives like "key question", "main question", or "central question" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "overriding question" in informal writing?

While "overriding question" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, in informal writing, simpler alternatives like "main question" or "big question" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "overriding question" and "important question"?

"Overriding question" emphasizes that the question is not only important but also takes precedence over other considerations. "Important question" simply highlights the significance of the question.