sincere question

USAGE SUMMARY

"sincere question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a question that is genuinely asked and not intended to deceive or manipulate someone. You can use "sincere question" in a variety of contexts, such as in a formal essay, an email, or a conversation with a friend. Example: "After listening to the speaker's presentation, I raised my hand to ask a sincere question about their research methodology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But the reporter said it was a sincere question.

The New York Times - Sports

Her Twitter timeline through that period is peppered with posts from her that begin, "Sincere question," followed by a theological query.

The New York Times

What's not to love?" If this is a sincere question, United Parcel Service, you may notice the Haggler's hand in the air, waving in a frenzy, like an eighth-grade smartypants.

The New York Times

His renowned therapeutic talent has been built upon his brilliant intellect and his constant and sincere question, "How can I be of help?" He was a generous friend and had a funny and telling story for every occasion.

The New York Times

At the end of this tortured road to a cancelled order, no one from Dell has yet to telephone me and ask that one, simple, sincere question: Mr. Singer, what can we at Dell do to make this all right with you?

Forbes

It's a sincere question.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In any case, pro tip: If you're a business serious about user engagement on Twitter, go out of your way to sincerely answer sincere questions from users, no matter how many followers they have.

TechCrunch

My goal of completing one straightforward exposition before beginning another sometimes gets diverted by people's sincere questions and comments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Such Good Work" introduces a writer who is willing to openly contradict himself, to stand corrected, to honor both men and women, to ask sincere questions and let them ring unanswered.

The New York Times - Books

I love questions: About my son or his disability, about my other child, about work, about how I'm feeling, about the latest episode of "Parenthood". I would much rather answer open and sincere questions than try to have an awkward conversation rooted in unnecessary pity.

The Washington Post

Be willing to talk about the environment and pipelines, but don't freak out when the conversation inevitably takes a turn to one of those discouraging but sincere questions you're bound to face, on the topic of your uncommon beauty.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sincere question" when you want to emphasize the genuine and honest nature of the inquiry. It is particularly effective in contexts where the intent behind the question might be doubted.

Common error

Avoid using "sincere question" sarcastically or ironically, as this undermines its intended meaning and can confuse the audience. Ensure the context aligns with genuine inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sincere question" functions as a noun phrase, where "sincere" modifies the noun "question". It is used to describe the type of question being asked, emphasizing its genuineness and lack of ulterior motives, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sincere question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. According to Ludwig, it describes a question asked genuinely, without intent to deceive. It appears in various contexts, most commonly in News & Media, Wiki and Academia. When using the phrase, ensure that the context aligns with its intended meaning of genuine inquiry, and avoid using it sarcastically. Alternatives include "genuine inquiry" or "honest question". Overall, "sincere question" serves to emphasize the authentic nature of the question being posed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine inquiry

Emphasizes the authenticity and lack of ulterior motives behind the question.

honest question

Highlights the truthfulness and candor of the question being asked.

earnest inquiry

Focuses on the seriousness and depth of the question.

legitimate question

Stresses the validity and appropriateness of the question.

bona fide question

Uses a more formal term to emphasize the good faith nature of the question.

unfeigned question

Highlights the absence of pretense or artificiality in the question.

candid question

Suggests the question is direct and straightforward, without evasion.

forthright question

Implies the question is asked in an open and honest manner.

real question

Simple alternative that underscores the authenticity of the question.

serious question

Emphasizes that the question is important and deserving of consideration.

FAQs

How to use "sincere question" in a sentence?

You can use "sincere question" to emphasize the genuine nature of an inquiry. For example: "I asked a "sincere question" about the company's ethical practices, hoping for an honest answer."

What can I say instead of "sincere question"?

You can use alternatives like "genuine inquiry", "honest question", or "earnest inquiry" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a very sincere question"?

While not strictly redundant, adding "very" might sound awkward. The word "sincere" already implies genuineness, so it's often sufficient on its own. Consider rephrasing if you want to add emphasis.

What's the difference between "sincere question" and "leading question"?

A ""sincere question"" seeks genuine information. A leading question, however, is designed to guide the respondent towards a particular answer or assumption, and may not be sincere at all.