the question persists

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the question persists" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a particular question remains unanswered or continues to be relevant despite previous discussions or attempts to resolve it. Example: "Despite numerous debates on the topic, the question persists: how can we effectively combat climate change?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

So the question persists: What's wrong with Tiger?

The New York Times - Sports

But the question persists: what is a planet?

The Guardian

The question persists: Could Lehman's collapse have been avoided?

The New Yorker

The question persists not merely because of the inanity or the collapse of his policies.

The New Yorker

And yet the question persists: how can he hope to escape the shadow of Asil Nadir?

The Guardian

Prominent feminists were outraged, and the question persists: Was his use of soft porn just plain sexist, or part of a larger cultural critique?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

After hours listening to Mr. Jaafer and other members of the soccer team describe the humiliations they suffered under Uday, the question persisted: why?

The New York Times

John Carney (dealbreaker.com) wrote this week that the question persisted "despite some truly incredible efforts on the parts of Wall Street institutions to recruit, retain and promote women".

The New York Times - Tech

She played every minute of the Americans' opening two matches, working diligently to involve her teammates, but the question persisted: What's wrong with Wambach?

The New York Times - Sports

The questions persist.

The New Yorker

Still, the questions persisted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the question persists" to emphasize the continuing relevance or unresolved nature of a particular inquiry, especially after previous attempts at resolution or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "the question persists" in overly simplistic situations where a more direct phrase like "the question remains" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the question persists" functions as a clause introducing or emphasizing an unresolved issue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It highlights the continuing relevance of an inquiry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the question persists" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that effectively emphasizes the continuing relevance of a question or issue. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in diverse contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific writing, indicating its relatively formal tone. While there are multiple alternatives such as "the question remains" or "the issue continues", the choice depends on the specific context and nuance the writer intends to convey. It's advisable to use simpler alternatives in more informal contexts, and to avoid overuse to prevent the writing from sounding unnecessarily convoluted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the question remains

Changes the verb to "remains", offering a more common and straightforward alternative.

the question continues

Substitutes "persists" with "continues", suggesting an ongoing nature.

the question lingers

Replaces "persists" with "lingers", implying that the question remains present and unresolved.

the question endures

Uses "endures" instead of "persists", highlighting the lasting quality of the question.

the inquiry persists

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", offering a slightly more formal tone.

the issue persists

Substitutes "question" with "issue", framing it as a problem that continues to exist.

the debate continues

Changes "question" to "debate", emphasizing an ongoing discussion.

the puzzle remains unsolved

Rephrases to highlight the unsolved nature of the question or problem.

the mystery endures

Uses "mystery" and "endures" to convey a sense of intrigue and lasting uncertainty.

the conundrum lingers

Substitutes with stronger vocabulary to signify a complicated question that won't go away.

FAQs

What does "the question persists" mean?

The phrase "the question persists" indicates that a particular question or issue remains relevant and unresolved, even after previous discussions or attempts to address it. It suggests the question has staying power and continues to warrant attention.

Is "the question persists" formal or informal?

While not overly formal, "the question persists" leans towards a more neutral to slightly formal tone. Simpler alternatives like "the question remains" might be preferred in very informal contexts.

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

You can use "the question persists" to introduce a question that continues to be relevant despite previous attempts to answer it. For example, "Despite numerous studies, "the question persists": how can we effectively treat this disease?"

What are some alternatives to "the question persists"?

Some alternatives to "the question persists" include "the question remains", "the question continues", "the question lingers", or "the issue persists". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.