tacit question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tacit question" is not commonly used in written English, but it is grammatically correct.
You can use it to refer to a question that is implied or understood without being explicitly stated. Example: "In the discussion, there was a tacit question about the team's commitment to the project that everyone seemed to acknowledge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then the tacit question arises: Does anyone in this chamber want to stand up and say that taxpayers should feed murderers, rapists and pedophiles?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The tacit, cynical question now was whether 12 more victims could contribute anything new to the equation.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — One of the currents running through the presidential campaign has been a tacit but fundamental question: After 11 years of the war on terror, what kind of threat does Al Qaeda pose to America?

The New York Times

Also, some readers who use a different definition of tacit knowledge may question whether the findings align with their definition of tacit knowledge; this is an issue of scholarly debate and we invite further dialogue about the concept.

BMC Health Services Research

Nonetheless, her speaking out questioned tacit western approval for Karzai and challenged the western image of Afghan women as being passively accepting of the regime.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having established his approach in the "Rosamunde" overture, Sir Roger immediately, if tacitly, raised the question of later generations' reinterpretations of classical music by conducting six Schubert songs in orchestrations by Brahms, Webern, Reger and Britten.

The New York Times - Arts

But the site tacitly raises the question: If she is such a zero of a politician, as the Web site depicts her, who would be so exercised to unload on a woman whom even opponents are reluctant to attack?

The New York Times

First, the central forces arising in Cartesian vortices would almost certainly have varied with both of these angular components, and hence Newton is tacitly begging a question.

SEP

Operating in this world we tacitly agree not to question its reality.

Huffington Post

Indeed, at some tacit, unarticulated level, a dark question lurked in educated minds.

The Guardian - Business

Partner sites should not send any information to Google's servers until the person in question has given tacit approval to do so.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tacit question" when you want to emphasize that a question is understood or implied without being explicitly stated. It's useful in scenarios where the question is obvious but not openly discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "tacit question" to describe a simple question. "Tacit" implies something understood without being expressed, not something straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tacit question" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "tacit" modifies the noun "question". It suggests an implicit inquiry or matter of concern that is understood without being openly expressed. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tacit question" describes a question that is understood or implied without being explicitly stated. While grammatically correct according to Ludwig, it's a relatively rare expression, most often found in news, media, and scientific contexts. Its primary function is to highlight an unspoken issue or concern, and alternatives such as "unspoken question" or "implied question" may be more common. When using "tacit question", ensure that the context genuinely involves an unspoken issue rather than a straightforward or simple inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unspoken question

Replaces "tacit" with "unspoken", emphasizing the lack of verbal expression.

implicit question

Substitutes "tacit" with "implicit", highlighting that the question is implied rather than explicitly stated.

implied question

Replaces "tacit" with "implied", focusing on the question being suggested without direct expression.

unstated question

Focuses on the fact that the question remains unsaid or unarticulated.

unvoiced question

Similar to "unspoken", this emphasizes the lack of verbal expression.

unacknowledged question

Emphasizes that the question exists but is not openly recognized or addressed.

understood question

Focuses on the question being comprehended without needing to be explicitly stated.

underlying question

Highlights that the question is a fundamental aspect of a situation, though not explicitly raised.

mute question

Emphasizes that the question exists, but is not expressed in any way.

presumed question

Indicates that the question is assumed or taken for granted.

FAQs

What does "tacit question" mean?

A "tacit question" refers to a question that is implied or understood without being explicitly stated. It's a question that exists in the background of a conversation or situation.

How can I use "tacit question" in a sentence?

You might say, "There was a "tacit question" in the room about the project's feasibility, though no one voiced it."

What are some alternatives to "tacit question"?

Alternatives include "unspoken question", "implicit question", or "implied question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "tacit question"?

Use "tacit question" when you want to highlight that a question is present in a situation or conversation, even though it is not being directly addressed. This can be useful when discussing sensitive or obvious matters.