technical question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "technical question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to inquiries that require specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular field, often related to technology or engineering. Example: "I have a technical question regarding the software's compatibility with our existing systems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They explain things when you have a technical question, rather than shooing you away or questioning your loyalty to the project.

Huffington Post

The teacher certainly was right on the technical question.

The New York Times

Frank says, 'Luciano, I have a technical question for you.

The New Yorker

There is a tension [and] … striking a balance is a fairly technical question.

The Guardian

The legal liability of H.M.O.'s might seem to be a technical question.

The New York Times

Although the case turned on a technical question, the court also commented on family leave.

The New York Times

The second is that, on occasion, I'll get asked a technical question.

The New York Times

In all likelihood, Brigham's future will turn on a more technical question.

The New Yorker

Mr. Slepnev said the Jackson-Vanik obstacle was "a technical question.

The New York Times

If he had a technical question, he found instructional videos on YouTube.

The New York Times - Sports

The technical question mark remains her serve, which is still consistently slower than in earlier phases of her career.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When posing a "technical question", be as specific as possible to ensure you receive a relevant and helpful answer. Include details about the system, software, or process involved.

Common error

Avoid assuming the recipient understands the underlying context of your "technical question". Provide sufficient background information to ensure they can understand the issue and offer appropriate assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "technical question" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an inquiry that necessitates specialized knowledge or expertise. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used to identify inquiries requiring detailed or expert answers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "technical question" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote inquiries requiring specialized knowledge, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and business, indicating a neutral to professional register. When posing a "technical question", specificity is key to obtaining relevant answers, though one should avoid assuming the recipient has prior knowledge of the context. Alternatives such as "specialized inquiry" or "expert question" offer similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specialized inquiry

Highlights the need for specialized knowledge to answer the question.

expert question

Suggests the question requires expertise to answer.

specific query

Focuses on the detailed and precise nature of the question.

advanced inquiry

Indicates the question is beyond a basic level.

complex query

Highlights the intricacy of the question.

precise inquiry

Focuses on the accuracy and exactness needed in the question.

detailed question

Emphasizes the level of detail required in the question.

challenging question

Suggests the question is difficult to answer.

specialized problem

Highlights that the problem requires a specific area of expertise.

intricate problem

Shifts the focus to the problem-solving aspect requiring technical understanding.

FAQs

How do I use "technical question" in a sentence?

You can use "technical question" to introduce a query that requires specific expertise. For instance, "I have a technical question about the new software update", or "He raised a technical question during the presentation".

What's a good alternative to "technical question"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "technical question" include "specialized inquiry", "expert question", or "detailed question".

When is it appropriate to use the term "technical question"?

It's appropriate when your query requires specialized knowledge, particularly in fields like engineering, computer science, or any area needing specific expertise. This contrasts with general or simple questions.

Is "technical question" formal or informal language?

The phrase "technical question" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the complexity of the question itself and the setting might influence the specific language used when posing or answering it.