pressing question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pressing question" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "The most pressing question of our time is how to ensure everyone has enough access to resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had one pressing question.

The New York Times

The pressing question is who should do it and how.

The Economist

An equally pressing question is weighing on me.

The Economist

The most pressing question, though, remains the tribunal.

The New York Times

The answer to this pressing question is the interrobang.

The Economist

That has been a pressing question among cardiovascular researchers.

Harvard University

A pressing question is: How long can that trend continue?

Princeton University

What will happen to the people poised to fall through it is a pressing question.

The New Yorker

The outcome of that pressing question is never in any great doubt, of course.

The New York Times

Actually, the role cars play in global warming is not the pressing question.

The Economist

But the pressing question is when the rules will take effect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pressing question" when you want to emphasize the urgency and importance of a question that needs immediate attention.

Common error

Avoid using "pressing question" too frequently in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "critical issue" or "vital question" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pressing question" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "pressing" modifies the noun "question". It highlights the urgency and importance of the question being posed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pressing question" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a question that demands immediate attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across various fields like news, academia, and science to emphasize the urgency and importance of an inquiry. While versatile, varying your language with alternatives like "urgent matter" or "critical issue" can prevent overuse. Remember, a "pressing question" isn't just any question; it's one that carries significant weight and requires prompt consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vital question

Uses "vital" instead of "pressing" to emphasize the question's significance.

crucial question

Replaces "pressing" with "crucial" to highlight the decisive nature of the question.

critical issue

Substitutes "pressing" with "critical", highlighting the importance of the issue.

burning question

Employs "burning" to convey a sense of immediate urgency and widespread interest.

key question

Uses "key" instead of "pressing" to emphasize the question's central importance.

urgent matter

Replaces "question" with a broader term, "matter", emphasizing urgency.

significant issue

Substitutes both "pressing" and "question" for "significant issue", broadening the scope.

important question

Replaces "pressing" with the more general "important", lessening the sense of urgency slightly.

immediate concern

Focuses on immediacy while framing the question as a "concern".

primary concern

Replaces "question" with "concern" and "pressing" with "primary", shifting the focus to worry.

FAQs

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

You can use "pressing question" to introduce a significant problem or issue that requires immediate consideration. For example: "The most pressing question is how to reduce carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "pressing question"?

You can use alternatives like "urgent matter", "critical issue", or "vital question" to convey a similar sense of importance and urgency.

Is "pressing question" formal or informal?

"Pressing question" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and tone.

What makes a question "pressing"?

A question is considered "pressing" when it demands immediate attention due to its significance and potential impact. It often involves matters that are time-sensitive or have critical consequences.