the next question was

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "the next question was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to move on to the discussion of a new question after addressing the previous one. For example, "We discussed how the new policy would be implemented. The next question was whether the policy would have any effect on existing personnel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The next question was mumbled.

The New York Times

The next question was what to get.

The New York Times

The next question was what information each population is broadcasting?

Harvard University

So the next question was: What precedes it?

The New York Times - Arts

The next question was what might be driving this pattern.

Harvard Business Review

The next question was how to design the study.

The New York Times

The next question was about third-party candidates.

The New York Times

The next question was, What does this gene do?

The New York Times

The next question was which protein appeared to be synthesized in this rapid and fleeting process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The next question was whether the team could do anything useful with it.

The Economist

The next question was whether Amy might still face a murder trial in Massachusetts.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the next question was" to clearly signal a transition to a new topic or inquiry in a discussion or written piece. It provides a straightforward way to guide your audience through a series of questions or points.

Common error

Avoid using "the next question was" repeatedly in a short span. This can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your transitional phrases to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the next question was" functions as a transitional device. Grammatically, it serves as a sentence fragment that introduces a subsequent inquiry or topic for consideration. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the next question was" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively signals a shift to a new topic or inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, from formal academic discussions to informal news reports. While its usage is widespread, avoiding overuse and varying your transitional phrases will enhance the clarity and engagement of your writing. Remember to choose the correct tense ("is" vs. "was") depending on whether you're referring to a current or past inquiry. Using alternative phrases like "the subsequent query was" can add nuance and formality to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subsequent query was

Replaces "question" with a more formal synonym, "query", creating a slightly more elevated tone.

the following inquiry was

Similar to "subsequent query", this uses "inquiry" to denote a formal or official question.

what followed was the question of

Changes the structure to emphasize the sequence of events leading to the question.

the immediate concern became

Shifts focus from a question to a pressing issue or problem needing resolution.

attention then turned to

Indicates a change of topic or subject, rather than a direct question.

the next point of discussion was

Broadens the scope to include any topic, not specifically a question.

what we then considered was

Emphasizes the process of deliberation and consideration.

the issue at hand became

Highlights the problem or matter being dealt with.

then came the matter of

Introduces a subject or topic requiring attention.

shifting gears, we asked

Implies a transition to a new topic or phase in the discussion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the next question was" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "the subsequent query was" or "the following inquiry was". These options replace "question" with synonyms that suggest a more elevated or official context.

What's a more casual way to say "the next question was"?

In informal settings, you might say "so then we asked" or "what came up next was". These phrases are less structured and more conversational.

How can I use "the next question was" in a sentence?

You can use "the next question was" to introduce a new inquiry after discussing a previous point. For example, "We addressed the budget concerns; "the next question was" how to allocate the remaining funds."

Is "the next question is" interchangeable with "the next question was"?

While similar, "the next question is" is used to introduce a question in the present or future, while ""the next question was"" refers to a question that arose in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeline of your discussion.