subsidiary question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subsidiary question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is secondary or less important compared to a main question or issue being discussed. Example: "In our discussion about climate change, I would like to address a subsidiary question regarding the impact of individual actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A subsidiary question remains for determination.

Cornell University

Let's first start with the subsidiary question of whether they managed to persuade their own parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

So that the subsidiary question is, not only what have we taught people to value and reward, but what have we taught people to aim at?

The Guardian - Opinion

A subsidiary question has to do with what this entails in terms of realignment both with elements within the opposition and the forces supporting the regime.

The Guardian - Opinion

In some instances the answer to this second question may be easy because of clear historical evidence that the very subsidiary question was so regarded under the English practice of leaving the issue for a jury.

Cornell University

There was no significant backlash against Muslims after the September 11th attacks, and Major Hasan, unlike the hijackers, can expect a trial and, if convicted, the death penalty.A subsidiary question is why Major Hasan's unhappiness raised no alarms.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But it will also work on a host of subsidiary questions.

The Economist

The ballot paper had no subsidiary questions on post-EU arrangements.

The Guardian - Opinion

The subsidiary questions are: Who should be the keeper of the flame, especially with a living designer?

The New York Times

The contributors and editors also discuss subsidiary questions including: What are the real goals of policies supporting homeownership?

Cornell University

In the course of a trial, however, a court is required to enter decisions that settle only subsidiary questions or some but not all of the ultimate issues.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subsidiary question" to introduce a point that needs clarification but isn't the central issue. It helps structure complex discussions by addressing smaller, related inquiries.

Common error

Avoid using "subsidiary question" when the inquiry is actually a core component of the main discussion. Mislabeling a central question as subsidiary can diminish its importance and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subsidiary question" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a question which is secondary or less important than the main topic under discussion. It serves to introduce related inquiries that support or clarify the primary issue, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subsidiary question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, denoting a question that is secondary to the main topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers relevant examples from diverse sources, including academic, news, and scientific publications. While not as common as simpler alternatives, it is a useful tool for structuring complex discussions and introducing supporting inquiries. Its usage tends to be more frequent in formal and academic contexts, reflecting a professional register. Alternatives include "related question" and "secondary inquiry", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related question

Focuses on the connection to the main topic, without explicitly stating the level of importance.

secondary inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "subsidiary" with "secondary", emphasizing the supporting nature of the question.

supporting question

Highlights the role of the question in providing support to the main topic.

ancillary question

Uses "ancillary" to denote the supplementary nature of the question.

additional question

Indicates an extra question, but doesn't necessarily imply it's less important.

follow-up question

Implies a question that arises as a direct result of the main question or its answer.

tangential question

Suggests a connection but also a deviation from the central point.

minor point of inquiry

Shifts the focus to the significance of the question, portraying it as a small detail.

offshoot question

Emphasizes that the question originated or stemmed from the main question.

attendant question

Focuses on the question being connected or accompanying the main question.

FAQs

How to use "subsidiary question" in a sentence?

You can use "subsidiary question" to introduce a related, but less central point. For example, "While the main focus is budget allocation, a "subsidiary question" is how to track expenses efficiently."

What can I say instead of "subsidiary question"?

You can use alternatives like "related question", "secondary inquiry", or "supporting question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "subsidiary question" or "supplementary question"?

Both ""subsidiary question"" and "supplementary question" are grammatically correct, but "subsidiary" implies a lesser degree of importance, while "supplementary" simply means additional.

What's the difference between "subsidiary question" and "follow-up question"?

A ""subsidiary question"" is a related but less important question to the main topic. A "follow-up question" is a question that arises directly from a previous statement or answer.