take on the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are addressing or tackling a specific question or issue in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In this essay, I will take on the question of whether technology improves our quality of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He is not afraid to take on the question of evil in a divinely ordered universe.

The New York Times - Books

Nonetheless, this data journalist's analysis suggests there are several strong reasons to take on the question, and several strong reasons to raise doubt about the conclusion.

The Guardian

After spending a year or so virtually in hiding the Democratic Party has finally hit upon a position to take on the question of the President's fitness to continue in office.

The New Yorker

But Michael D. Silverman, executive director of the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, said it was the first employment case in the country to take on the question of a transgender person's sex.

The New York Times

The New Yorker, May 27 , 1974 P. 21After spending a year or so virtually in hiding the Democratic Party has finally hit upon a position to take on the question of the President's fitness to continue in office.

The New Yorker

Some of that has come from experts in legal circles who believe that the Supreme Court may not be ready to take on the question of a constitutional right to same-sex marriage — which the Justices astutely managed to avoid addressing head on in last summer's twin rulings on DOMA and Proposition 8, California's gay-marriage ban.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

During the war he caused something like a stir by the stand he took on the question of Americans travelling on armed ships.

The New Yorker

In 2010 a union-backed training initiative took on the question, enrolling unemployed  residents, including many who had served time in prison, in a green jobs certification program.

The New York Times

In January 1997, when an independent panel convened by the National Institutes of Health took on the question of mammograms for women in their 40's, Congress got involved.

The New York Times

"Beginning with 'Django' and ending with a different character from 'Django.' " And they took on the question of whether, like the audience (at home and at the theater), they would be drinking during the show.

The New York Times

In 1996 he took on the question of how church authorities enter into dialogue, either with other faiths or with their own flock, including those seeking changes in teaching or practice.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is particularly effective in introductory paragraphs to signal a shift toward deep analysis or investigative reporting.

Common error

Do not use "take on the question" if you mean that you disagree with the premise of the question. In that case, use "take issue with the question". "Take on" specifically denotes the act of addressing or challenging a task or topic.

Linguistic Context

This is a phrasal verb construction where "take on" acts as the transitive verb meaning to undertake or address, followed by the noun phrase "the question". In the context provided by Ludwig, it functions as a predicate that introduces a specific intellectual or investigative challenge.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Professional

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take on the question" is a versatile and sophisticated tool for writers who wish to indicate that they are addressing a significant issue. According to Ludwig AI and the extensive dataset provided, the expression is most prevalent in high-tier journalism such as The New York Times and The Guardian. It is grammatically correct and functions perfectly as a way to introduce a deep dive into complex topics ranging from politics to philosophy. While it is similar to "address the question", it carries a slightly more active and confrontational tone, suggesting that the author is ready to grapple with the difficulties inherent in the query.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address the question

more formal and commonly used in academic or neutral reporting

tackle the question

implies a more vigorous or determined effort to solve a difficult problem

approach the question

focuses on the methodology or the perspective used to look at the query

engage with the question

suggests a deep or interactive analysis of the topic at hand

confront the question

suggests dealing with a query that is uncomfortable or traditionally avoided

explore the question

implies a broad investigation rather than a definitive answer

handle the question

often used when managing an inquiry in a professional or administrative context

take up the question

emphasizes the moment of beginning to discuss a specific topic

consider the question

a gentler alternative focused on deliberation and thought

answer the question

shifts focus from the process of addressing to the result of providing a solution

FAQs

How do I use "take on the question" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an active analysis, such as: "The new documentary aims to take on the question of climate change ethics."

What can I say instead of "take on the question"?

Depending on your context, you might prefer "address the question", "tackle the question" or "examine the subject".

Is it "take on the question" or "take the question on"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "take on the question" is more common when the object is long, while "take the question on" can be used for shorter, punchier sentences.

What's the difference between "take on the question" and "answer the question"?

"Take on the question" describes the process and willingness to deal with a topic, whereas "answer the question" implies a successful conclusion or a specific response has been provided.