skip this question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "skip this question" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "If you don't know the answer, you can skip this question."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

My data are distorted and I'm going to have to skip this question.

Yale University

The measure would change driver's license forms to include a section that applicants "must fill out" by either joining the organ donor registry or choosing to "skip this question".

The New York Times

I was asked bland amorphisms like whether I was "someone who tends to find fault" with people (duh), is generally "friendly and agreeable" (see previous response), and always "does a thorough job" (can I just skip this question?).

The New York Times - Science

If you're simply asking for formality (or because it is the first thing you can think of), skip this question.

Huffington Post

Skip this question if you're fortunate to have your own private pool to use at your leisure.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A total of 177 respondents skipped this question.

Insights into Imaging

A few practitioners detailed other procedures, and 166 skipped this question.

Insights into Imaging

Refill bottles were used by 269 (35 %), 271 (35 %) used gel from single-use bottles (see Fig. 3), and 173 skipped this question.

Insights into Imaging

‡One respondent skipped this question.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

*18 respondents skipped this question.

BMC Medical Education

Another point is that in a large number of questionnaires some questions remained unanswered, that means that the person that filled it – mostly a trainee – skipped this question.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When taking a test, if you're unsure of the answer, "skip this question" and return to it later if time allows. This prevents getting bogged down and ensures you address questions you know well.

Common error

While appropriate in informal contexts or questionnaires, repeatedly using "skip this question" in formal writing can sound abrupt. Consider rephrasing as "this section is optional" or providing a "not applicable" option.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "skip this question" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to avoid answering a particular question. Ludwig's examples show it's often used in surveys, tests, and general discussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "skip this question" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to instruct someone to bypass a specific question. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news articles, wiki pages and scientific literature. It functions as an imperative and serves the purpose of giving an option to avoid answering. Although generally neutral, it might be deemed too direct for highly formal contexts. Alternatives include "omit this question" or "leave this question unanswered". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omit this question

Replaces "skip" with "omit", suggesting a formal removal of the question.

pass over this question

Uses "pass over" instead of "skip", implying a temporary avoidance.

leave this question unanswered

Expresses the act of skipping as a lack of response.

bypass this question

Replaces "skip" with "bypass", suggesting a strategic avoidance.

disregard this question

Uses "disregard" instead of "skip", implying the question is not important.

don't answer this question

A more direct and imperative way to express skipping.

move on from this question

Focuses on the action of proceeding to the next question.

set aside this question

Suggests the question will be addressed later, unlike a complete skip.

ignore this question for now

Implies the question is being skipped temporarily.

table this question

Uses "table" to suggest postponing the question.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "skip this question" in a formal context?

In formal settings, you can use alternatives like "this section is optional", "leave this question blank if not applicable", or "proceed to the next section if this does not apply to you".

What does it mean to "skip this question" on a survey?

To "skip this question" means to leave it unanswered, usually because it's not relevant to you or you don't know the answer. You might also "pass over this question" if you don't know the answer.

Is it better to guess or "skip this question" on a test?

The strategy depends on the test's scoring system. If there's no penalty for guessing, attempt an answer. If there's a penalty, it might be wiser to "skip this question" if you are unsure.

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "skip this question"?

It's appropriate when the question is optional, irrelevant to the person, or potentially uncomfortable to answer. You might "omit this question" in order to avoid asking an inappropriate question.