thrust of the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thrust of the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main point or focus of a question being asked. Example: "While discussing the topic, we must consider the thrust of the question to ensure we address the core issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They go off on tangents, they spout general platitudes that offer no special insight into the company in question, or they miss the thrust of the question altogether and talk about something else.

HuffPost

Based on this comment, I think that we misinterpreted the thrust of the question in the first place, so here we address the question of the unaffected genes experiencing chromatin modification by Hairy.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In a way, she's almost lucky that the baby story broke when it did, because whenever she does step out in front of the microphones, this will be the main thrust of the questions, at least for the first day or so.

Huffington Post

To appreciate the thrust of this question we have to anticipate a position as regards the ontology of models (which we discuss in the next section).

SEP

The allegations also are a thrust of the SEC inquiry.

Forbes

The Canadian government has been on a crusade to strip the citizenship of convicted terrorists who also hold citizenship from another country — a move that has thrust the question of what it really means to be a Canadian onto the ongoing federal election campaign trail, and raises concerns about how Canada is tackling radicalization at home.

Vice

But let me get back to the main thrust of your question.

MIT Technology Review

He is again a man at ease, enjoying the rollicking argument, the cut and thrust of hostile questions, and the soap-box politics.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The other main thrust of the reforms concerned the Kurdish question.

The Guardian

Other researchers, while agreeing with the main thrust of this study, questioned the choice of calibration points used to synchronise the data.

Wikipedia

After the game, the thrust of questions aimed at Rodriguez during his locker-side interview was not about the game or about how the Yankees had fallen eight and a half games behind the Red Sox, but the inflammatory comments by his lawyer, Joseph Tacopina.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thrust of the question", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the main point or central issue is. Providing context beforehand helps the audience understand the focus of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "thrust of the question" when the core issue is not clearly defined or when multiple issues are equally important. In such cases, a more general term like "aspects of the question" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thrust of the question" functions as a noun phrase identifying the main point or central idea being investigated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to highlight the core issue.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thrust of the question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively highlights the main point or core issue under consideration. While less frequent, it is primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it is important to use it when the core issue is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "essence of the question" or "core of the question" can be used for variety or when the situation demands a slightly different nuance. Focusing on best practices, remember to ensure that the context clearly establishes what the main point is when using "thrust of the question".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essence of the question

Focuses on the fundamental nature of the question.

core of the question

Highlights the most important part of the question.

main point of the question

Emphasizes the primary idea or concern.

central theme of the question

Refers to the overarching subject or topic.

crux of the question

Indicates the decisive or critical point.

heart of the matter

Highlights the central and most important aspect.

gist of the question

Focuses on the general meaning or understanding.

point of inquiry

Refers to the specific focus of investigation.

focus of the questioning

Emphasizes the direction or aim of the questions being asked.

driving force behind the question

Highlights the underlying motive or reason.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "thrust of the question" in a sentence?

Use "thrust of the question" to emphasize the most important aspect or core issue being examined. For example, "The thrust of the question is whether the company can sustain its growth in a competitive market."

What's a good alternative to "thrust of the question"?

You can use alternatives like "essence of the question", "core of the question", or "main point of the question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "thrust of the question" mean?

The phrase refers to the central point, main idea, or core issue that a question is trying to address. It's the most important aspect that needs to be considered when answering or discussing the question.

Is it correct to say "the thrust of the questions" instead of "thrust of the question"?

Yes, "thrust of the questions" is correct when referring to the main point or common theme running through multiple questions, as seen in examples where the "thrust of the questions" aimed at someone focused on a specific topic.