question upon question

USAGE SUMMARY

"question upon question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a series of questions, for instance: "The professor posed question upon question, leaving the class in a stunned silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We went to one allergist after another, armed with question upon question.

The New York Times

Here are some examples: SPIRIT WORLD -- "My name is Harley Earl, and I've come back to build you a great car," the actor says, but like a surrealist film the Buick ad campaign piles question upon question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there are variables upon variables, questions upon questions.

The New York Times

QUESTIONS upon questions upon questions: they're a restaurant critic's real diet, fed to him by friends and strangers, in phone calls and e-mail messages, at cocktail parties and the gym.

The New York Times - Food

True, the theatre is not heated but that should not be an insuperable problem, particularly not with fans no doubt just as ready to shiver for "the master" at Easter as to boil for him in summer.Questions upon questions.

The Economist

Question, question, question.

WikiHow

"You'll never leave us, will you?" It's the great question of childhood, the question upon which all the Mary Poppins books turn: is the person on whom a child relies for the foundation of his existence — food and warmth and love at its most elemental — about to disappear?

The New Yorker

That's the question upon which his legacy depends.

The New Yorker

Free thinkers question the status quo and democracy is built upon questions being asked.

Huffington Post

Questions about questions.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The student registers n profile questions, and is presented with t ≤ n challenge questions upon authentication [7, 22].

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "question upon question" to emphasize the overwhelming number or repetitive nature of questions being asked. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "a series of questions" or "multiple questions".

Common error

Avoid using "question upon question" when simply referring to a few questions. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a large number or continuous stream of inquiries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question upon question" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the quantity and often repetitive nature of the inquiries. As Ludwig highlights, it is used in contexts where there are many questions, often one after another.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "question upon question" is a grammatically correct, though not particularly common, expression used to emphasize a multitude or series of inquiries. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to highlight situations where numerous questions are being posed, often conveying a sense of being overwhelmed. While alternatives like ""a series of questions"" or ""multiple questions"" exist, "question upon question" is particularly effective when stressing the repetitive or overwhelming nature of the queries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of questions

Focuses on a sequence rather than the piling up.

barrage of questions

Emphasizes the overwhelming and forceful nature of the questions.

flood of questions

Highlights the abundance and continuous flow of questions.

mountain of questions

Stresses the large number and burden of addressing all the questions.

endless questions

Implies that the questions continue without cessation.

never-ending questions

Similar to endless questions, but with a slight negative connotation of frustration.

constant questioning

Focuses on the act of repeatedly asking questions.

ceaseless inquiries

Highlights formal nature of the constant flow of questions.

interminable queries

Highlights formal nature of the infinite duration of questions.

multiple questions

Simply indicates more than one question, lacking the emphasis on quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "question upon question" to emphasize a large number of questions being asked. For example, "The lawyer faced "a barrage of questions" from the press after the trial."

What's a good alternative to "question upon question"?

Alternatives include "a series of questions", "a flood of questions", or "multiple questions", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "question upon question" grammatically correct?

Yes, "question upon question" is grammatically correct and used to describe numerous, often repetitive, inquiries. It is not as common as "a series of questions" but is valid.

When is it appropriate to use "question upon question"?

It is appropriate to use "question upon question" when you want to emphasize the sheer number or repetitive nature of inquiries. It suggests that questions are piling up, almost overwhelming the situation. A suitable alternative is "barrage of questions".