table a question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "table a question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts, such as meetings or discussions, to indicate that a question or topic will be postponed for later consideration. Example: "During the meeting, I would like to table a question regarding the budget for next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ruane says he tried to table a question in the Commons asking how much MPs and peers cost.

The Guardian

"Don't print that!" As scent, and the hyperbole, settled down, Ms. Gross, perhaps in a Socratic mood, asked the table a question: "If you liked two fragrances just as much, would you buy the one with the bottle that you liked more?" Well, yes, Ms. Aston said, but there are always atomizers for unattractive bottles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dennis Skinner had tabled a question.

The Guardian

Recently he set a world record, tabling a question 10,195 words long.

The Guardian

Carter-Ruck's plan was unravelled by a combination of Parliamentary freedom (MP Paul Farrelly tabled a question) and Twitter.

The Guardian

In Italy, a government MP said he was tabling a question in parliament after a report in the Guardian suggested that Materazzi had called Zidane a terrorist.

The Guardian

The Labour life peer Lord Lipsey tabled a question in the House of Lords last week asking ministers to lift the ban on Hobsbawm's access to his files.

The Guardian

He also tabled a question asking for more draft reports to come to the full council – such as the recent waste management strategy – being prepared for the New Year.

The Guardian

The existence of the super-injunction was revealed today by John Hemming, a back-bench Liberal Democrat MP who tabled a question in Parliament about the gagging order.

Independent

Lord Oakeshott, a Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, was also tabling a question to demand a copy of the PwC review be placed in the parliamentary library after the City regulator said rules prevented it from making the report public.

The Guardian - Business

"It's frankly disgusting that items like this are being promoted at a supposedly legitimate trade event in Britain," said Lucas, who tabled a question in parliament and raised a point of order on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "table a question" in formal settings, like parliamentary procedures or business meetings, to suggest postponing a discussion. Ensure that the context makes it clear the question will be addressed later, not ignored completely.

Common error

Avoid using "table a question" when you intend to dismiss the question entirely. The phrase implies temporary postponement, not permanent rejection. If you mean to reject the question, use phrases like "reject the question" or "decline to consider the question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "table a question" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It's used to describe the action of formally postponing a question or motion in a meeting or parliamentary setting, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "table a question" is a verb phrase used to postpone or defer a question, typically in formal settings such as parliamentary procedures or business meetings. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct, though relatively rare. It’s important to use this phrase in contexts where temporary postponement is intended, not permanent dismissal. Alternatives include "defer the question" or "postpone the question". The phrase carries a formal register, evidenced by its prevalence in news media and business-related sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defer the question

Indicates a postponement of the question to a later time, emphasizing delay.

postpone the question

Suggests putting the question off for future consideration.

hold over the question

Means to keep the question pending until a later discussion.

shelve the question

Implies putting the question aside, perhaps indefinitely.

lay the question on the table

Formally proposes the question for consideration, but may also suggest it be temporarily set aside.

put the question aside

Simply means to not consider the question at the current time.

park the question

Informally suggests temporarily setting the question aside.

hold in abeyance the question

Formally suggests suspending the question temporarily.

suspend consideration of the question

Formally indicates a temporary halt to discussing the question.

delay addressing the question

Focuses on delaying the act of answering or dealing with the question.

FAQs

What does "table a question" mean?

To "table a question" means to postpone or defer it for later discussion. It's commonly used in formal meetings and parliamentary settings to temporarily set aside a question without dismissing it entirely. Alternatives include "defer the question" or "postpone the question".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "table a question"?

Use "table a question" in formal contexts such as parliamentary proceedings, board meetings, or committee discussions when there isn't enough time to address the question immediately or when more information is needed. Make sure the context suggests that the question will be revisited later.

What are some alternatives to "table a question"?

Several alternatives to "table a question" include "defer the question", "postpone the question", "hold over the question", or "put the question aside". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "table a question" the same as rejecting a question?

No, "table a question" is not the same as rejecting it. Tabling a question means postponing it for future consideration, while rejecting a question implies a decision not to address it at all. If you intend to dismiss the question entirely, use phrases like "reject the question" or "decline to consider the question" instead.