the immediate question is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the immediate question is" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a topic or issue that requires urgent attention or consideration. Example: "The immediate question is how we can address the budget shortfall before the end of the fiscal year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The immediate question is when will the US move?

Independent

The immediate question is how far the brinksmanship will go.

The New Yorker

The immediate question is how, exactly, Weaver will assist.

The New York Times - Sports

Clearly, the immediate question is whether the peace here holds.

The New York Times

The immediate question is whether advertisers will spend much more money on the paper.

The Economist

The immediate question is whether Orlando matches up better with the Celtics.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The immediate question was whether the Palestinians would keep negotiating.

The New York Times

"The immediate question was whether it should be built," Mr. Schuster recalled.

The New York Times - Arts

The immediate question was whether he would be healthy enough to finish the week, or whether he would withdraw, something Woods rarely does.

The New York Times - Sports

But the immediate question was how far Russia would go in putting Georgia back into what it sees as Georgia's place.

The New York Times

The immediate question was why the garment factories on the upper floors of the Rana Plaza building in Savar, outside Dhaka, the capital, were operating when the structure collapsed Wednesday morning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the immediate question is" to clearly introduce the most important issue that needs to be addressed or considered in a given situation. This helps focus the audience on the core problem or inquiry.

Common error

While useful in formal writing, avoid overuse in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives may sound more natural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the immediate question is" serves as an introductory phrase. It functions to spotlight a central inquiry that requires attention or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a standard phrase used to introduce a critical issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the immediate question is" is a grammatically sound and very common way to introduce a critical question or issue. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is primarily used in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When writing, use it to clearly signal the most important inquiry to the audience. Consider alternatives like "the pressing issue is" or "the key question is" to fine-tune the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the pressing issue is

Replaces "immediate" with "pressing", emphasizing urgency.

the key question is

Substitutes "immediate" with "key", highlighting importance.

the crucial point is

Emphasizes the decisive nature of the inquiry.

the pertinent question is

Replaces "immediate" with "pertinent", focusing on relevance.

a critical question is

Highlights the importance of the question.

the central problem is

Focuses on the core issue rather than the timing.

the main concern is

Shifts the focus to a feeling of worry or apprehension.

the burning question is

Emphasizes the urgency and widespread interest in the question.

what remains to be seen is

Introduces an element of uncertainty about the future.

the first thing to consider is

Frames the question as the initial step in an analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "the immediate question is" in a sentence?

Use "the immediate question is" to introduce a pressing issue or problem that requires prompt attention. For example: "The budget is tight, so "the immediate question is", how do we allocate resources effectively?"

What can I say instead of "the immediate question is"?

You can use alternatives like "the pressing issue is", "the key question is", or "the main concern is" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "the immediate question is" in academic writing?

Yes, "the immediate question is" is appropriate for academic writing when you want to highlight the most important question to be addressed.

When is it not appropriate to use "the immediate question is"?

Avoid using "the immediate question is" in very casual or informal conversations where simpler phrasing would be more natural. For example, in casual conversations you can use expressions like "so what's next?" or "what should we do now?".