the one in question

USAGE SUMMARY

"the one in question" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is often used to refer to a specific person or thing that is being discussed or considered. Example: During the meeting, we discussed various options for the new project, but the one in question, the one with the highest potential for success, was ultimately chosen as the best fit.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Since other associations in the set of comparisons may have no bearing on the one in question, the upshot is that irrelevant information from the data can diminish the informativeness of an association of possible interest".

BioData Mining

For those curious if their device is affected, tell-tale signs your Beats speaker is the one in question include the logo on the handle, as visible in the photo below.

TechCrunch

"The rock that we came across is the one in question".

The New York Times

"Bakkies hit a ruck just before the one in question in a similar style and was not penalised.

The Guardian - Sport

The one in question was unadorned, except for the inscription of 20 Aramaic letters etched on one side.

The New York Times

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has been campaigning vigorously about a 10% funding gap, but not the one in question.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The bank was told the first letter was too broad, because it sought assurances about all transfers, not just the ones in question.

The New York Times

I should hope that the president of our college did not take responsibility for what she said in a subsequent email for any other reason than to hold herself accountable for using a statement that reasserts the value of white lives, which are not the ones in question if MacCallum has been following recent events.

Huffington Post

As these interventions are the same as the ones in question for the inverse probability approach, the causal assumptions need are also identical.

BMC Public Health

Every motif finding algorithm is ordinarily exposed to spurious matches that may appear as significant as the ones in question [ 24] and the number of core promoter motifs in the random dataset in Table  4 confirms this.

BMC Genomics

This phenomenon has been described as the motif "twilight zone" where every motif finding algorithm is ordinarily exposed to spurious matches that may appear as significant as the ones in question [ 24].

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the one in question" to clearly specify which item or subject you are currently referring to, especially when multiple options have been presented. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "the one in question" repeatedly within a short span of text. Vary your language by using pronouns or rephrasing to prevent the writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the one in question" functions as a determiner phrase that singles out a specific entity or item from a set of possibilities. Ludwig AI shows its wide usage across many contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the one in question" is a versatile phrase used to denote a specific item or subject under consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various domains, especially news and science. It helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity by clearly identifying what is being discussed, though writers should avoid overuse. For alternative expressions, consider "the aforementioned item" or "the matter in question" to add variety to your writing. Therefore, using the phrase "the one in question" effectively contributes to clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the matter in question

Replaces 'one' with 'matter', indicating a topic or issue being discussed or investigated.

the item under consideration

Substitutes 'one' with 'item' and uses the more formal 'under consideration' to indicate something being carefully thought about.

the aforementioned item

Replaces 'one' with 'item' and uses 'aforementioned' to refer back to something previously mentioned, creating a more formal tone.

the particular case

Replaces 'one' with 'case', making it suitable for discussing examples or scenarios.

the relevant entity

Replaces 'one' with 'entity' to denote something specific and relevant, suitable for more formal or technical contexts.

the subject at hand

Shifts the focus from a specific 'one' to the 'subject', emphasizing the topic being discussed rather than a particular entity.

the specific instance

Focuses on a 'specific instance' rather than a general 'one', implying a particular occurrence or example.

the object of interest

Highlights the object as being of interest, changing the emphasis slightly from simple identification to relevance.

that which is being discussed

Expands the phrase to clarify that something is currently being talked about, adding explicitness.

the detail at hand

Focuses on a specific 'detail' that is immediately relevant, implying attention to a particular aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "the one in question" in a sentence?

Use "the one in question" to refer back to a specific item or topic that has already been mentioned to avoid repetition or ambiguity. For instance, "We reviewed several proposals, but "the one in question" offered the most innovative solution".

What's the difference between "the one in question" and "the one at issue"?

"The one in question" generally refers to something being discussed or considered. "The one at issue" typically refers to something that is problematic or under dispute. While they can sometimes overlap, "the one at issue" often carries a connotation of contention or disagreement.

What are some alternatives to "the one in question"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "the aforementioned item", "the subject at hand", or "the relevant entity" to maintain clarity and avoid repetition.

Is it acceptable to use "the one in question" in formal writing?

Yes, "the one in question" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to refer to a specific item or subject that has already been introduced. However, ensure it fits the overall tone and doesn't become repetitive.