the question at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the question at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to the topic or issue that is being discussed at the present time. For example, "Let's focus on the question at hand: what are our next steps?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So back to the question at hand.

University of California, Berkeley

The question at hand is thus…why?

The Washington Post

How you write is the question at hand.

Yale University

The question at hand could not have been more important.

The Guardian - Opinion

The question at hand is: What do white men want?

The New York Times

I find it particularly useful in exploring the answer to the question at hand.

The New York Times

I thought nothing of it and continued talking to my group about the question at hand.

The New York Times

Niveen's lawyer tried to steer Adam closer to the question at hand.

The New Yorker

The question at hand: Is it a landmark, or a development site?

The New York Times

The freshman senator lost on the question at hand, as pretty much everyone expected he would.

The Washington Post

Still, the question at hand is whether an additional $1 hike will be benign.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the question at hand" to clearly signal a return to the central topic after a digression or tangential discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "the question at hand" when introducing a completely new topic. This phrase is best used to refocus the discussion on the original subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the question at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a preposition. It's used to identify the central topic or issue being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the question at hand" is a versatile noun phrase used to refocus discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's very common across news, academic, and scientific sources. When writing, it's best used to signal a return to the central topic, and should be avoided when introducing entirely new subjects. Alternatives include "the subject at hand" or "the issue at hand". This phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the subject at hand

Replaces "question" with "subject", focusing on the broader topic being discussed.

the matter in hand

Substitutes "question" with "matter", emphasizing the issue requiring attention.

the issue at hand

Uses "issue" instead of "question", highlighting a specific problem or concern.

the topic at hand

Replaces "question" with "topic", focusing on the theme of the discussion.

the concern at hand

Emphasizes the aspect of worry or importance related to the current discussion.

the argument at hand

Focuses on a specific point of contention or debate being discussed.

the discussion at hand

Highlights the process of exchanging ideas and opinions on the current matter.

the inquiry at hand

Refers to a formal investigation or questioning related to the present issue.

the focus of attention

Shifts the emphasis to where attention is currently directed.

the point under consideration

Highlights the specific aspect or detail being examined.

FAQs

How can I use "the question at hand" in a sentence?

Use "the question at hand" to redirect focus to the main topic of discussion. For example: "Before we delve deeper into related issues, let's address "the question at hand": what is our primary objective?"

What phrases are similar to "the question at hand"?

Similar phrases include "the subject at hand", "the matter in hand", or "the issue at hand". Each emphasizes slightly different aspects of the topic being discussed.

Is it appropriate to use "the question at hand" in formal writing?

Yes, "the question at hand" is suitable for formal writing. It is commonly used in academic, professional, and journalistic contexts to maintain focus on the topic being discussed.

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

"The question at hand" refers to the current topic being discussed. "The question in hand" is less common, and also refers to the current topic, but its usage is less prevalent than "the question at hand".