this reverses the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this reverses the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where the original question is turned around or reconsidered in a different light. Example: "By presenting the evidence in this way, this reverses the question of who is truly at fault in the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To me, this reverses the question.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

8. Reverses the question.

Huffington Post

"I would reverse the question to you and I would say this -- do you think that President Clinton should be condemned for the rest of his life based on a mistake that he made in his life?" It wasn't the only across-the-aisle comparison made during the debate.

Huffington Post

But when Lincoln was asked if he thought God was on his side, he reversed the question.

Forbes

Let me reverse the question at hand.

Huffington Post

"When someone argues with me, I just reverse the question.

Los Angeles Times

I reverse the question and ask what the rough sleepers gathered there would demand of the council.

Vice

Reversing the normal question 'what are Twitter's costs' to 'what's the cost of Twitter' Phelan and Seroussi got out the calculator.

TechCrunch

But the apparent ease with which the policy was reversed raises the question of why George Osborne was so determined to press ahead in the first place.

Independent

MR. LEHRER Reverse the question.

The New York Times

Note that this scoring was reversed for question 2. The scores increased significantly after the experiment for seven out of the ten questions (p < 0.05, paired t test, questions 1, 3, 6 8; Fig. 7).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this reverses the question" when you want to indicate a complete change in the way something is being considered, often to explore an opposite perspective or challenge an initial assumption.

Common error

Avoid using "this reverses the question" if you're not actually inverting a question or perspective. Ensure there's a clear prior question or assumption that your statement is turning around, otherwise the phrase can feel forced or nonsensical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this reverses the question" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a shift in perspective. It indicates that the speaker or writer intends to approach the topic from an opposing viewpoint. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this reverses the question" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to signal a shift in perspective or a redirection of inquiry. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It functions as a discourse marker, prompting a re-evaluation of assumptions and encouraging critical thinking. While primarily found in news and media, and science contexts, its clear and direct nature makes it suitable for various settings. Consider alternatives like "this flips the script" or "this turns the question around" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this turns the question around

Directly indicates that the original question is being approached from the opposite direction.

this flips the script

Implies a complete turnaround in the situation or argument.

this redirects the query

Suggests moving the inquiry toward a different subject or target.

this inverts the problem

Focuses on addressing the problem from an opposite angle.

this reframes the issue

Suggests a new way of looking at the issue, altering its perceived meaning.

this changes the focus

Shifts the attention from one aspect to another.

this alters the perspective

Emphasizes a change in viewpoint or understanding.

this reconsiders the premise

Implies a new evaluation of underlying assumptions.

this shifts the paradigm

Indicates a fundamental change in the underlying assumptions or framework.

this rethinks the matter

Suggests a new assessment of the situation at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "this reverses the question" to indicate a shift in perspective or a re-evaluation of an initial inquiry. For example, "Instead of asking why the project failed, this reverses the question to ask what factors contributed to its near success."

What is a similar phrase to "this reverses the question"?

Similar phrases include "this flips the script", "this turns the question around", and "this reframes the issue", all of which suggest a shift in perspective or approach.

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

Yes, "this reverses the question" can be used in formal writing, particularly when analyzing arguments or discussing problem-solving strategies. Its clarity and directness make it suitable for professional and academic contexts.

What does it mean to "reverse the question"?

To "reverse the question" means to consider the opposite angle or perspective of an initial inquiry. It's a technique used to challenge assumptions, explore alternative solutions, or gain a deeper understanding of a problem by looking at it from a different viewpoint.