this exact question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this exact question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to the specific query that was asked in a prior conversation or context. For example: "John asked me if I was planning to go to the party, and I wasn't sure what to say. Now, this exact question has been playing on my mind ever since."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This kind of thing pushes my buttons, because we have refocused ourselves, just recently, on this exact question in my household.

The New York Times

"Even though I am 35 years in this field, we do not have molecular parameters or signatures which make that clear, although many groups, including my own, are working on this exact question".

The New York Times

David Jensen in his column "Tooling up" in Science Careers, recently published an article entitled, "Learn to read between the lines of a job ad," that tackles this exact question.

Yale University

I actually asked this exact question to Sony's consumer electronics (rather than gaming) division, and the reply I got was essentially the reason I wrote this article.

Forbes

A quick search yields a plethora of possible resources that could help -- MOOCs, blogs, Quora answers to this exact question, books, Master's programs, bootcamps, self-directed curricula, articles, forums and podcasts.

Forbes

In the incredible event that you do install the OS and can't figure out where your browser went, there will likely be a hotline at Microsoft dedicated to answering this exact question.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This is the exact question my friend Matt, who doesn't watch pro wrestling, asked me at my Royal Rumble party.

Forbes

This is the exact question posed by former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala in a Sounding Board article published in The New England Journal of Medicine after Gelsinger's death.

Science Magazine

If the child asked for more information, the interviewer could only repeat the exact question owing to the structured nature of this part of the interview.

British Journal of Psychiatry

Given this potential for uncertainty, one reviewer suggested that it would be preferable if the exact question answer option was used throughout the text.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Queen Life or death, it is the exact question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this exact question", ensure the context makes it clear which question you are referring to. If necessary, briefly restate the question for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "this exact question" without a clear antecedent. Ensure the reader knows which question you are referring to, or restate the question for clarity to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this exact question" serves as a demonstrative phrase, functioning to point to a specific question previously mentioned or understood within the context. It is used to refer back to a query with precision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this exact question" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to refer back to a specific query. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific writing. The phrase functions as a demonstrative, ensuring clarity and focus in communication. For variety, alternatives like "this specific question" or "this precise inquiry" can be used. Remember to ensure a clear antecedent for "this exact question" to avoid any ambiguity. In conclusion, using this phrase effectively enhances precision and conciseness in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this precise inquiry

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry" and "exact" with "precise", offering a more formal tone.

this specific question

Replaces "exact" with "specific", emphasizing the particular nature of the query.

the very question

Emphasizes the particular question at hand.

this identical question

Uses "identical" instead of "exact" to highlight the sameness of the question.

this very query

Replaces "question" with "query", offering a slightly more formal synonym.

this particular question

Emphasizes the distinctiveness of the question.

this same question

Highlights that the question has been asked before or is not new.

the question at hand

Focuses on the question currently being discussed or considered.

the issue in question

Shifts the focus slightly from a question to a broader issue.

the central question

Highlights the importance of the question as being central to a discussion.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this exact question" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "this specific question", "this precise inquiry", or "the very question" to add variety to your writing.

Is it okay to use "this exact question" in formal writing?

Yes, "this exact question" is suitable for formal writing as long as the context is clear. It effectively refers back to a specific point previously made, ensuring precision. Consider slightly more formal alternatives like "this precise inquiry" for very formal contexts.

When should I restate the question instead of using "this exact question"?

If there's any ambiguity about which question you're referring to, it's best to briefly restate the question. Using "this exact question" without a clear reference can confuse your reader.

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

"This exact question" refers to a previously asked or stated question. "The question at hand" refers to the question currently being discussed or considered, which might not have been explicitly stated before.