raises the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"raises the question" is a correct and commonly used phrase in spoken and written English.
It is typically used when introducing a question that follows. For example: "The fact that she never returned my call raises the question: why didn't she respond?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which raises the question of his casting.

The New Yorker

This raises the question of intent.

The New Yorker

Which raises the question: why this book?

The Guardian - Money

His presence raises the question of appropriation.

The New York Times - Arts

"It raises the question: 'Why these people?

The New York Times

Which raises the question: what is life?

The New York Times - Arts

"It immediately raises the question, whose values?

The New York Times

All of which raises the question: Why?

The New York Times - Arts

this raises the question of 2017.

The Guardian

Which raises the question of informed consent.

The New York Times - Health

John Lowe repeatedly raises the question of laziness.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raises the question" to smoothly introduce a question following a statement or observation. It's effective for guiding the reader's or listener's thought process.

Common error

Avoid confusing "raises the question" with "begs the question". The latter refers to a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed in the premise, not simply introducing a new line of inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raises the question" functions as an introductory phrase, serving to explicitly introduce a question or line of inquiry. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, preparing the audience for a question that logically follows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "raises the question" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a pertinent inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. While alternatives exist, understanding its specific function—to transition into a question—ensures its effective use. Avoiding confusion with similar phrases like "begs the question" is crucial for clarity. The frequency and widespread adoption of "raises the question" underscore its importance in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leads to the question

Indicates that the preceding information naturally progresses to the question being asked.

poses the query

Replaces "question" with "query", emphasizing a formal or specific inquiry.

gives rise to the question

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate that something causes the question to arise.

prompts the inquiry

Substitutes "raises" with "prompts" and "question" with "inquiry", suggesting the phrase causes the question.

suggests the need to ask

More explicitly states the implication that a question should be asked.

invites the question

Suggests that the situation or statement makes it natural or necessary to ask the question.

begs the question

While similar, this implies the question is already assumed in the premise, a nuance different from simply introducing a question.

calls into question

Indicates doubt or uncertainty about something, prompting a question about its validity.

brings up the issue

Shifts the focus from a specific question to a broader issue or concern.

presents the problem

Focuses on the existence of a problem that needs to be addressed, rather than a specific question.

FAQs

How can I use "raises the question" in a sentence?

Use "raises the question" to introduce a question that logically follows from a previous statement. For example, "The company's declining profits "raises the question": what strategies can be implemented to improve performance?"

What are some alternatives to "raises the question"?

You can use alternatives like "poses the query", "prompts the inquiry", or "leads to the question" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "arises the question" instead of "raises the question"?

While "arises" can refer to a question, the more common and grammatically standard phrasing is ""raises the question"". "Arises" is often used in the context of a problem or issue, rather than a specific question being asked.

What's the difference between "raises the question" and "begs the question"?

"Raises the question" introduces a question that needs to be addressed. "Begs the question" refers to a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed in the premise. They are not interchangeable.