to discuss the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"to discuss the question" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to two or more people discussing a certain issue or problem. For example: "The panel of experts convened to discuss the question of how to better support students with learning disabilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Are they attempting to discuss the question raised, or are they responding to or criticizing the questioner?

BMC Medical Ethics

A classic example is a think pair share discussion, in which students first individually think about a question posed by the instructor, then pair up with other students to discuss the question, and finally share answers in a whole-class discussion.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Each wanted to discuss the question: Should she take hormones?

The New York Times

It is important to discuss the question of authorship, because the facts are not undisputed.

The Guardian

Mr. Giuliani, at his news conference here, refused to discuss the question.

The New York Times

I dare say that the Stranger will not object to discuss the question.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The man on the other end demanded a meeting to discuss the question of Inveterate Gambler Ping's having cheated.

The New Yorker

Ms. Albrecht said the dancers and staff members would sit down in the coming months to discuss the question.

The New York Times - Arts

Sigman won't tell you how to interpret it, but she is happy to discuss the question of interpretation.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, after initial discussions were conducted, the fieldworkers and researchers observed that the girls felt comfortable to discuss the questions because of the fairly large discussion groups.

BMC Health Services Research

No decisions were made, and the lawyers left to discuss the questions with others at the Justice Department and Microsoft.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to discuss the question" when you want to express a clear intention to have a conversation or deliberation about a specific query or issue. For instance, "The committee will meet next week to discuss the question of funding for the new project."

Common error

While "to discuss the question" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in extremely formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "to deliberate on the matter" or "to examine the inquiry" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to discuss the question" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase, often used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. It clearly indicates the aim of engaging in a conversation or deliberation about a specific issue, as demonstrated in many Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

33%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to discuss the question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating an intention to deliberate on a specific query. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. As shown by Ludwig, it is commonly found in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science", suitable for both professional and neutral registers. While generally acceptable, remember to consider more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal writing, such as "to deliberate on the matter". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use this phrase to convey your intent to engage in meaningful conversations and examinations of various issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to address the issue

Uses "address" instead of "discuss", implying a more formal or direct approach to the topic.

to consider the matter

Employs "consider" and "matter", suggesting a more thoughtful and broad examination.

to examine the query

Replaces "discuss" with "examine" and "question" with "query", giving a more analytical tone.

to deliberate on the topic

Uses "deliberate" for a more formal and considered discussion, and "topic" instead of "question".

to explore the problem

Substitutes "discuss" with "explore" and "question" with "problem", indicating a more investigative approach.

to talk about the subject

A more informal alternative, replacing "discuss" with "talk about" and "question" with "subject".

to investigate the inquiry

Uses "investigate" and "inquiry", suggesting a more formal and detailed examination of the question.

to analyze the situation

Employs "analyze" and "situation", implying a breakdown of the question into its components.

to review the subject matter

Replaces "discuss" with "review", suggesting a retrospective examination of the question.

to go over the point

A more conversational and informal way to express the act of discussing a question.

FAQs

How can I use "to discuss the question" in a sentence?

You can use "to discuss the question" to introduce the topic of a conversation or deliberation. For example, "The purpose of this meeting is "to discuss the question" of whether to implement a new policy."

What are some alternatives to "to discuss the question"?

Alternatives include "to address the issue", "to consider the matter", or "to examine the query", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is it better to use "to discuss the question" or "discussing the question"?

The infinitive form "to discuss the question" is typically used to express intent or purpose, while "discussing the question" functions as a gerund or present participle. Use "to discuss the question" when outlining plans, and "discussing the question" when describing an ongoing activity.

What is the difference between "to discuss the question" and "to answer the question"?

"To discuss the question" implies a conversation or deliberation around a particular issue, while "to answer the question" focuses on providing a direct response or solution. The former involves exploration, while the latter aims for resolution.