substantive questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantive questions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to questions that are meaningful, significant, or essential to a particular topic or discussion. Example: "During the meeting, we focused on substantive questions that would help us make informed decisions about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The jury asked several substantive questions.

The New York Times

But more substantive questions about the project repeatedly come up.

The Guardian

Then he would begin to make himself available for substantive questions, they said.

The New York Times

"Substantive questions weren't answered," said an executive at one small firm who insisted on anonymity.

The New York Times

Of all the talk-show hosts, Mr. Letterman tried hardest to get answers to substantive questions.

The New York Times

The debate might be more constructive if we return to the substantive questions that I posed earlier.

The New York Times

"DoD contended that no one remained who could answer substantive questions about the project or, apparently, any other activities".

Independent

Another possible addition: the opportunity to pose substantive questions, in real time, to a rotating team of college counselors.

The New York Times

The article was a clarion call for substantive questions from senators and similarly substantive answers from Supreme Court nominees.

The New York Times

"This year, more people are going to attend, and they will be armed with more substantive questions.

The New York Times

Female celebrities will be asked substantive questions on the red carpet, and men won't be allowed to make art.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantive questions", ensure the context makes it clear why these questions are significant. Providing background information or highlighting the impact of the answers can enhance clarity.

Common error

While "substantive questions" is grammatically sound, overuse in casual conversation may sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "important questions" or "key questions" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "substantive questions" is to act as a noun phrase where "substantive" modifies the noun "questions". This signifies that the questions are not trivial, but rather deal with essential aspects of the subject matter. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is standard and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantive questions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that emphasizes the importance and depth of inquiries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits well across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "meaningful inquiries" or "key inquiries" exist, "substantive questions" specifically denotes inquiries that delve into the core of a matter. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants its formality and that the questions indeed address significant issues. The phrase is most effective when highlighting that the discussion is focused on fundamental aspects and aims to elicit meaningful answers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningful inquiries

Replaces "substantive" with "meaningful", focusing on the significance and impact of the questions.

significant queries

Substitutes "substantive" with "significant", highlighting the importance and consequence of the questions.

important lines of questioning

Rephrases the entire expression to emphasize the direction and relevance of the questioning.

key inquiries

Replaces "substantive" with "key", emphasizing the essential and crucial nature of the questions.

essential questions

Substitutes "substantive" with "essential", highlighting the fundamental and necessary aspect of the questions.

critical questions

Replaces "substantive" with "critical", emphasizing the decisive and crucial nature of the questions.

probing questions

Focuses on the depth and thoroughness of the questions, suggesting they are intended to uncover hidden information.

in-depth inquiries

Highlights the detailed and comprehensive nature of the questions.

fundamental inquiries

Replaces "substantive" with "fundamental", pointing out the foundational and basic nature of the questions.

relevant inquiries

Focuses on the pertinence and applicability of the questions to the topic at hand.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "substantive questions" in a sentence?

Use "substantive questions" when you want to emphasize that the questions being asked are important, meaningful, and delve into the core issues of a topic. For example: "The debate focused on the "substantive questions" of economic policy."

What are some alternatives to "substantive questions"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "meaningful inquiries", "significant queries", or "key inquiries". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys the importance of the questions.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "substantive questions"?

The phrase "substantive questions" is appropriate in formal contexts, such as academic discussions, professional meetings, or news reports, where the importance and depth of the questions are emphasized. Avoid using it in very informal settings, where it may sound overly formal.

Are "substantive questions" the same as "important questions"?

While both phrases indicate the significance of the questions, "substantive questions" suggests a greater depth and focus on the core issues. "Important questions" is a broader term, while "substantive questions" implies a detailed and meaningful inquiry.