the question behind this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the question behind this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an underlying inquiry or issue that is not immediately apparent in the context of a discussion or argument. Example: "While we have discussed the surface issues, the question behind this is what motivates these behaviors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That's the question behind this new research.

The New York Times

That's the question behind this new comedy about three modern male archetypes: the metrosexual (Mather Zickel); the sensitive soul (Christopher Moynihan, a creator of the series), who pines for his ex; and the milquetoast (Dan Fogler), who refuses to let his anger ignite and instead asks, "What would Tobey Maguire do?" Teri Polo and Amanda Detmer play the women in their lives.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

'Is it like they've struck a bargain - I'll be attracted to you if you're attracted to me - or are they really attracted to each other?' This is the question behind the novel: how do you know when you have met the person you are meant to be with?

The Guardian - Books

"Is this the best a man can get?" That's the question behind the nearly two-minute video the shaving giant Gillette put out earlier this week.

Huffington Post

Instead we tried, as we've been trained, to hear the question behind the question that the child is asking.

The New Yorker

"Our staff have to be very good at assessing the question behind the question," Ms. Kantor said.

The New York Times

But the question behind the immediate crisis posed by Greek and Spanish debt is how to bring about more Europe.

The New York Times

Furthermore, the experts who perform the ratings are often unsure about the question behind the rating [31].

European Journal of Futures Research

That is the question behind the big debate going on around social networks and data portability.

TechCrunch

Of course, the question behind that question is, well, can he even do that?

Huffington Post

The question behind all this is why the aid world was taken by surprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context provides enough information for the reader to understand what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the question behind this" in situations where the inquiry is already clear and straightforward. Using it in simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the question behind this" functions as a discourse marker, introducing a deeper inquiry or underlying issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in various written contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the question behind this" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a deeper inquiry or underlying issue. Ludwig AI validates its usability across various contexts. While not highly frequent, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific domains. Alternatives include "the underlying question" or "the real issue at stake". When using the phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in simplistic contexts. Its primary function is to prompt further analysis beyond the surface level, indicating a need to explore fundamental inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the underlying question

Focuses on the fundamental nature of the inquiry.

the real issue at stake

Emphasizes the importance of the hidden problem.

the core problem

Highlights the central difficulty.

the motive for this

Shifts focus to the reason or driving force.

the rationale behind this

Highlights the reasoning or logic.

the reason for this

Simple substitution for 'question' with 'reason'.

the purpose of this

Focuses on the intended outcome or aim.

what this is really about

An informal rephrasing emphasizing true meaning.

the unspoken question

Highlights that the question is implied but not directly stated.

the elephant in the room

Idiomatic expression for an obvious but unaddressed issue.

FAQs

How can I use "the question behind this" in a sentence?

You can use "the question behind this" to introduce a more profound inquiry or issue that may not be immediately apparent. For example: "While we have discussed the surface issues, the question behind this is what motivates these behaviors."

What's a simpler way to phrase "the question behind this"?

Alternatives include "the underlying question", "the real issue at stake", or "the core problem" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "the question behind this" in formal writing?

Yes, "the question behind this" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when introducing a critical, but perhaps less obvious, point of inquiry. However, ensure that the context is appropriate and the phrase doesn't sound overly complex.

What's the difference between "the question behind this" and "the reason behind this"?

"The question behind this" implies an inquiry or issue that needs exploration, while "the reason behind this" refers to the cause or explanation for something. The former seeks understanding, while the latter seeks to explain.