rough questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rough questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to describe questions that are difficult to answer or which are asked in a blunt or direct manner. For example: "The interviewers asked me a series of rough questions about my qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What has gone unspoken is this: Up until this moment, Hillary has successfully deflected rough questions about Bill by saying, "I'm running on my own" or, as she snapped at Barack Obama in the last debate, "Well, I'm here; he's not".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even when he was on the attack, or firing back at a rough question, he rarely lost his cool.

The New York Times

Yet the spectacle of broadcasters asking rougher questions of the prime minister and leader of the opposition – who, say what you like about them, do not dream of being the next Adolf Hitler – remains strange.

The Guardian

"Russia is a long-term buying opportunity," says Harvey Sawikin, of Firebird Management, a hedge fund that runs four funds investing there, although he concedes that in the short term investors may be in for a rough ride.The question, of course, is whether the rough ride will be as short or calm as he and others hope.

The Economist

The poll is likely to encourage the Clinton camp, whose campaign got off to a rough start when questions arose about Clinton's use of personal email as secretary of state, this spring.

The Guardian

Initially, come up with some rough set of questions.

Huffington Post

For quick questions, Rough Draft also has a Slack group where founders can just hop on and chat with each other, including alumni founders.

HuffPost

Rubio is also coming into the debate after a rough week facing questions over his use of the Florida Republican Party's credit card while he was the speaker of the Florida House from 2005 to 2008.

Vice

As a courtesy, it is polite to send a rough list of questions to the interviewee before the interview is scheduled to take place.

WikiHow

"This season's been a rough one, no question.

The New York Times - Sports

Anyway, Leslie was given a rough passage at question time - the Intellectuals have always been famous for bruising colloquies.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rough questions", consider the context and audience. The phrase can sometimes imply a lack of sensitivity, so ensure it aligns with your intended tone.

Common error

While "rough questions" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or sensitive situations. Opt for alternatives like "challenging questions" or "probing inquiries" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rough questions" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "rough" modifies the noun "questions". This suggests that the questions are difficult, challenging, or sensitive in nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rough questions" describes inquiries that are challenging, difficult, or sensitive. Grammatically sound and fairly common, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently encountered in news and media, wikis, and scientific contexts. While generally acceptable, be mindful of your tone as the term can occasionally imply insensitivity. Consider alternatives like "challenging questions" or "probing inquiries" for more formal settings. When used appropriately, "rough questions" effectively conveys the demanding nature of the subject matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult questions

Focuses on the challenge in answering, shifting from the nature of the question to its impact.

tough questions

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the questions themselves.

probing questions

Highlights the depth and investigative intent behind the questions.

challenging questions

Similar to difficult, but implies a stimulating and thought-provoking quality.

pointed questions

Suggests the questions are direct and targeted, possibly critical.

searching questions

Implies the questions are intended to uncover hidden information.

incisive questions

Highlights the sharpness and clarity of the questions.

demanding questions

Focuses on the effort required to answer the questions adequately.

critical questions

Suggests the questions are crucial and potentially fault-finding.

awkward questions

Emphasizes the potential discomfort or embarrassment caused by the questions.

FAQs

How can I use "rough questions" in a sentence?

You can use "rough questions" to describe inquiries that are difficult or uncomfortable to answer. For example, "The politician faced "tough questions" during the interview".

What are some alternatives to saying "rough questions"?

Alternatives include phrases like "difficult questions", "challenging questions", or "probing questions", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to ask "rough questions" in a job interview?

Asking "rough questions" in a job interview depends on your role. As an interviewer, framing "incisive questions" is acceptable to assess a candidate. As a candidate, you likely wouldn't ask "rough questions", but you might inquire about challenges the company faces.

What is the difference between "rough questions" and "rude questions"?

"Rough questions" implies difficulty or bluntness, while "rude questions" suggests a lack of politeness or respect. The former focuses on the nature of the inquiry, while the latter focuses on the manner in which it's asked. "Rude questions" are generally inappropriate.