pertinent question

USAGE SUMMARY

"pertinent question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing a question that is relevant, appropriate, or applicable to a particular topic or situation. Example: "During the press conference, the journalist asked a pertinent question about the company's recent financial earnings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Excellent, pertinent question.

The New York Times

It was a pertinent question.

The New York Times

The more pertinent question is whether Vaughn will hold up.

The New York Times - Sports

Trev asked at least one highly pertinent question.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

On a related note, Cyril Huze asked a pertinent question.

The New York Times

"It's not that it's not a pertinent question.

The New York Times - Sports

But the more pertinent question is: imagine if he was?

The Guardian - Opinion

More than 20 years later, it's a pertinent question.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Soon enough, McCoy found himself asking Goodell a pertinent question.

The New York Times - Sports

His task was to pose a pertinent question, and make sure everyone contributed.

The Guardian - Tech

Indeed, a more pertinent question is whether Britain has achieved what Mark Carney calls "escape velocity".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pertinent question" when you want to emphasize that a question is not only relevant but also crucial for understanding or resolving a situation. It indicates that the question goes to the heart of the matter.

Common error

Avoid using "pertinent question" simply as a fancier way to say "relevant question". Ensure the question truly addresses a core issue or provides significant insight. If a simpler adjective suffices, opt for it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pertinent question" functions as a noun phrase, where 'pertinent' modifies 'question'. It highlights the significance and relevance of the question being asked. As supported by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatical and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pertinent question" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize the crucial and relevant nature of a question, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral to formal in register, its impact is greatest when the question truly addresses a core issue. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "relevant query" or "important question" to maintain clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relevant query

Focuses on the direct relevance of the inquiry.

applicable question

Highlights the suitability of the question to the situation.

germane inquiry

Emphasizes the relatedness and appropriateness of the question.

apropos question

Highlights the timeliness and relevance of the question.

fitting question

Stresses the suitability and appropriateness of the question.

appropriate inquiry

Highlights the suitability of the inquiry in a given context.

material question

Emphasizes the importance and significance of the question.

significant question

Highlights the importance and weight of the question.

important question

Focuses on the crucial nature of the question.

critical inquiry

Highlights the essential and decisive nature of the inquiry.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "pertinent question" in a sentence?

Use "pertinent question" to introduce a query that directly addresses the core issue or provides significant insight. For example, "A "pertinent question" is whether the policy effectively reduces inequality".

What are some alternatives to using "pertinent question"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "relevant question", "important question", or "key question" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between a "pertinent question" and an "appropriate question"?

While both terms suggest relevance, a ""pertinent question"" implies that the question is crucial and goes to the heart of the matter, whereas an "appropriate question" simply means the question is suitable for the situation.

When is it more suitable to use "pertinent question" over "relevant question"?

Use "pertinent question" when the question is of utmost importance and directly affects the outcome or understanding of a situation. "Relevant question" can be used more broadly for any related inquiry.