the question becomes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the question becomes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a particular question or comment that is connected to a previous discussion or thought. For example: "If we are to ensure that everyone is treated fairly, the question becomes, who should decide what is fair?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The question becomes irrelevant.

The Guardian - Arts

Then the question becomes: Which human beings?

The New Yorker

So the question becomes: Should you?

The New York Times

"The question becomes, who is policing that?

The Economist

Then the question becomes: Enjoy what, how?

The New Yorker

The question becomes, affordable to whom?

The New York Times

The question becomes who should consider them.

The New York Times

If the latter, the question becomes a whole lot harder.

The Economist

The question becomes, How do such strategies serve the work?

The New York Times

"The question becomes our vigilance and their ability to execute".

The New Yorker

If terror works, then the question becomes: for how long?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the question introduced by "the question becomes" directly relates to the preceding context for clarity and logical flow.

Common error

Avoid using "the question becomes" simply as a transition without a genuine question or inquiry to follow. This can weaken your writing and make it seem unfocused.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the question becomes" serves as a transitional device, functioning to introduce a pivotal question that arises logically from the preceding context. As Ludwig AI shows, this is very commonly employed in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the question becomes" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to introduce a pivotal question arising from a preceding context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's very common in written English, particularly in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, it can be adapted to suit different contexts, but should be used purposefully to avoid weakening the writing. Consider related phrases such as "the issue at hand is" or "the central inquiry is" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the issue at hand is

Replaces "question" with "issue", focusing on the problem being addressed.

the central inquiry is

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry", highlighting the investigative nature of the query.

the crucial point is

Focuses on the critical importance of the question being raised.

the fundamental concern is

Stresses the basic or essential nature of the question.

the core problem is

Emphasizes that the question highlights a central issue to be resolved.

what we must consider is

Emphasizes the act of thoughtful deliberation.

what needs to be addressed is

Shifts the focus to the necessity of dealing with a specific matter.

the real challenge is

Highlights the difficulty or complexity implied in the question.

the key takeaway is

Highlights the most important point or conclusion to be derived.

the next step is to ask

Framing the question as a progression in a process.

FAQs

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

Use "the question becomes" to introduce a key inquiry arising from a preceding statement or situation. For example, "Given these economic challenges, the question becomes: how do we stimulate growth?"

What are some alternatives to "the question becomes"?

You can use alternatives like "the issue at hand is", "the central inquiry is", or "the crucial point is" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "the question becomes"?

While grammatically correct, overuse or misuse of "the question becomes" as a mere filler can weaken writing. Ensure a genuine, relevant question follows the phrase.

How does "the question becomes" differ from "the question is"?

"The question is" introduces a question directly, while "the question becomes" suggests the question arises as a consequence or natural progression from prior information.