permanent question

USAGE SUMMARY

"permanent question" is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to a situation or issue that has been ongoing for some time and has yet to be resolved. For example, "The debate over climate change has become a permanent question in our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That scandal put a permanent question mark against the baby's legitimacy, Fissell says, and he never became king.

BBC

What lies behind the first layer of an image becomes a permanent question in the viewer's mind.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

By Adam Gopnik For the permanent questions of the politics of existence, Trollope remains the man.

The New Yorker

"Is it an emergency or is it permanent?" The question has created a political Catch-22.

The New York Times

BOOK: "Shakespeare's Politics" by Allan Bloom with Harry V. Jaffa (1964) WHY:"The central task of great literature is to engage the permanent human questions, and this series of essays reminded me of the scope and depth of Shakespeare's original vision.

The New York Times

Whether the blindness is permanent is one question; whether the protagonist can cope with her loss, without being consumed or destroyed by it, is another.

The New Yorker

The last culprit is Wall Street's lacklustre performance, which caused a big drop both in capital-gains-tax receipts and in taxes paid on cashing in stock options.How much of this revenue shortfall will prove permanent?The big question is how much of this revenue shortfall will prove permanent.

The Economist

The fact is, however, that although the provisional Libyan government is set up more or less along federal lines and has gone on record as favoring the federal idea for a permanent government, the question of whether Libya should become a federal or a unitary state is far from settled.

The New Yorker

She said she would recall the transport secretary and permanent secretary to question them about it.

BBC

Shostakovich is about permanent ambiguities, relentless questions.

The New York Times - Arts

From their registration tasks, used for intervision and permanent education, several questions derived which were included in this study.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "permanent question" to describe issues that are not easily resolved and have been debated or considered for a long time. For example, "The role of artificial intelligence in society remains a permanent question."

Common error

Avoid using "permanent question" for issues that are merely complex or challenging but have a foreseeable resolution. It's more suitable for questions with deep-rooted causes or philosophical implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "permanent question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "permanent" modifies the noun "question". It signifies an issue or inquiry that persists over time without a definitive resolution. Ludwig's examples highlight its usage in diverse contexts, from political legitimacy to philosophical inquiries.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "permanent question" describes a long-standing, unresolved issue, as Ludwig's AI confirms. Although not very common, its usage is appropriate in various contexts like News & Media and Science, suggesting it fits neutral to formal settings. Related phrases include "lingering issue" and "unresolved matter". Use it to emphasize the enduring nature of an inquiry that lacks a definite solution. Avoid applying it to problems with foreseeable resolutions. Ultimately, "permanent question" effectively marks issues demanding continuous attention and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lingering issue

Focuses on the unresolved and persistent nature of the problem.

unresolved matter

Emphasizes the lack of a solution or decision.

enduring query

Highlights the long-lasting and questioning aspect.

persistent problem

Stresses the continuous and troublesome nature of the issue.

ongoing debate

Highlights the continuous discussion and differing opinions.

chronic concern

Focuses on the long-term and worrying aspect of the question.

recurring dilemma

Emphasizes the repeating and problematic nature.

unsettled issue

Highlights the lack of resolution and finality.

standing question

Indicates a question that remains to be answered over time.

long-standing inquiry

Highlights the extended duration of the investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "permanent question" to describe ongoing and seemingly unresolvable issues. For example, "The ethics of genetic engineering remains a "permanent question" in the scientific community."

What are some alternatives to using "permanent question"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "lingering issue", "unresolved matter", or "ongoing debate" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "permanent question" in formal writing?

Yes, "permanent question" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing complex, long-standing issues. However, ensure the context aligns with the phrase's implication of an unresolved and deeply rooted problem.

What's the difference between "permanent question" and "difficult question"?

"Difficult question" refers to a question that's hard to answer, while "permanent question" refers to an issue that has remained unanswered or unresolved for a long period, often implying a lack of a clear or easy solution.