their question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question posed by a specific group of people or individuals. Example: "The teacher addressed their question about the homework assignment during class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For mischievous questioning, be straightforward and ask people to 'bottom line' their question.

The Guardian

Their question was what.

The New York Times

seemed to be their question.

The New Yorker

My answer to their question is below.

The New York Times

"ACT is more straightforward in their question construction," he said.

The New York Times

The men nod to each other and repeat their question.

The New Yorker

Researching their question or problem and then getting the answer.

The New York Times

Customers can then decide which expert they want to answer their question for a fixed fee.

The New York Times

Their question was more familiar: Why aren't there more female leaders?

The New York Times

Mr. Koutoulas and his co-counsel say that their question has been addressed.

The New York Times

I would answer their question, and they would look at him," she said, laughing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity when referring to "their question" by explicitly stating who "they" are to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "their question" when the group referred to is unclear or has not been previously identified. Always establish who "they" are to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their question" functions as a possessive determiner followed by a noun. It indicates that a particular question belongs to or originates from a group of people. The examples Ludwig provides demonstrate this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their question" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a question asked by a group. As Ludwig shows, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to define who "they" are. While generally neutral, its formality can shift based on context. When writing, make sure the referent is clear to avoid confusion. Several alternatives exist, such as "the inquiry from them" or "the issue they raised", which can subtly alter the emphasis of the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the question they posed

Rephrases the inquiry using "posed" instead of "question", emphasizing the act of asking.

the inquiry from them

Uses "inquiry" to replace "question", making it sound slightly more formal.

the issue they raised

Shifts the focus from a specific question to a broader "issue" brought up by the group.

the problem they presented

Emphasizes that their question highlights a "problem" needing resolution.

the point they inquired about

Highlights the "point" of focus in their question.

what they were asking

Focuses on the action of asking, rather than the question itself.

the query they submitted

Uses "query" in place of question and "submitted" indicating it was formally presented.

the matter they interrogated

Emphasizes a more rigorous and detailed investigation of the "matter" at hand.

the subject they addressed

Refers to the topic "they addressed", highlighting a focus or attention to particular theme.

the topic of their interrogation

Refers to subject or aspect of interrogation.

FAQs

How can I use "their question" in a sentence?

You can use "their question" to refer to a specific inquiry made by a group of people. For example: "The professor addressed "their question" about the research methodology".

What's a more formal alternative to "their question"?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives like "the inquiry from them" or "the query they submitted".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "their question"?

It is incorrect to use "their question" if the referent is unclear, or if you're trying to describe a single person's question. In that case, use "his question" or "her question" instead.

What can I say instead of "their question" to emphasize the issue being raised?

If you want to emphasize the underlying issue, you could use phrases like "the issue they raised" or "the problem they presented".