pregnant question

USAGE SUMMARY

"pregnant question" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is used to describe a question that has strong implications and speaks volumes even before an answer is given. For example, "The silence following his pregnant question seemed to last forever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Looming large in front of us is the pregnant question: What is the political solution?

The Washington Post

"There is one very pregnant question," said David Axelrod, a senior adviser to Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

"The pregnant question is: what if we took a tiny amount of good spectrum and repurposed it?" It might at last become feasible and economic to begin bridging the world's digital divide.

The Economist

In other news, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush ran a crazy Ivan on the pregnant question of what might be called relative influence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He merely asks the pregnant, provocative question.

The New York Times - Arts

So when state lawmakers this week announced a $610 million shortfall, the bad news came as a surprise and prompted a pregnant political question: How much of the blame belongs to Gov. George W. Bush?

The New York Times

In the main document on help with quitting smoking, 28 detailed recommendations are given on how to deal with pregnant smokers (question 3, page 15/37) and there are also specific recommendations about psychological/behavioural interventions (chapter 4.1, page 17/37).

British Medical Journal

It's one of many soulful questions asked by the partners of pregnant women, questions that include "why does my wife burst into tears now when she sees a baby squirrel?" and "why must the missus have coal to eat right this minute?" I like to get these queries in early when my wife and I discuss our days - I need to score a few cheap points since I know I'm about to get outclassed big time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When she tells him she's pregnant, he questions having taken her virginity.

The New York Times

Kesmodel et al. have suggested that, in studies focusing on the prevalence of alcohol intake among pregnant women, questions on intake should focus on a time period of at least two weeks [ 13].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

But also, pregnant in that question is our expectations, and our expectations were in part governed by the experience of watching Exxon Valdez, and in some respects, judging the ecological harm of an oil spill based on the sheer volume of oil, without taking into consideration a variety of other complex environmental factors.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pregnant question" when you want to emphasize the weight and implications of a question, even before it's answered. Ensure the context supports the idea that the question is loaded with unspoken meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "pregnant question" literally to refer to questions about pregnancy. The phrase's power lies in its figurative sense, implying significance and unspoken meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pregnant question" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "pregnant" modifies "question" to imbue it with a figurative sense of being full of unspoken meaning and implications. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it describes a question with strong implications.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pregnant question" is a powerful tool for conveying depth and implication. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a question rich with unspoken meaning. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it's best used when you want to emphasize the underlying significance of an inquiry. While related phrases like "loaded question" or "implying question" offer similar connotations, "pregnant question" brings a unique weight to the discourse. Remember to use it figuratively, avoiding literal interpretations related to pregnancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

loaded question

This alternative carries underlying assumptions or implications.

implying question

This alternative directly suggests that the question implies something beyond its literal meaning.

question laden with meaning

This alternative emphasizes the depth of significance contained within the question.

significant question

Highlights the importance and potential impact of the question.

question full of implications

Focuses on the potential consequences and hidden meanings embedded in the question.

probing question

This alternative highlights the investigative nature and intention to uncover deeper truths.

question with unspoken assumptions

Emphasizes the underlying beliefs and presumptions that influence the question.

far-reaching question

Suggests that the question has wide-ranging effects and consequences.

pivotal question

Highlights the critical importance of the question in determining future outcomes.

consequential question

Focuses on the important results and outcomes that may arise from the question.

FAQs

What does "pregnant question" mean?

A "pregnant question" is a question that is loaded with unspoken meaning, implications, or significance, often more than what is literally asked.

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

You can use "pregnant question" to describe a question that carries a lot of weight or unspoken assumptions. For instance, "His silence after the "loaded question" was telling."

What are some alternatives to "pregnant question"?

Alternatives include "loaded question", implying question, or significant question. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "pregnant question"?

It is appropriate when the question's implications are more significant than its literal meaning, and the context is serious or contemplative. It's less suitable for lighthearted or trivial matters.