traditional question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traditional question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a question that is commonly asked or has been asked for a long time, often in a specific context or tradition. Example: "In many cultures, the traditional question during a meal is 'How was your day?'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

When the traditional question, "Why is this night different?" is asked, the answers are widely varied.

The New York Times

We will begin by taking up the traditional question: What kind of thing is the mind?

University of California, Berkeley

The main components of our system consist of a traditional question answering system based on a paper by Microsoft Research.

University of California, Berkeley

They first asked the traditional question: How much of the tax cut goes to different income groups?

The Washington Post

Others are asking the traditional question of every official scandal: what did the NFL know, and when did it know it?

The Economist

"This is not the traditional question that's posed to environmental groups, and to the extent that people aren't being responsive, it's probably that they don't know how to weigh in," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Hoenig said these interviews are less traditional question-and-answer sessions than monologues with questions to nudge the conversation along.

The New York Times - Sports

Earth observation networks (EONs) are an emerging, surveillance-based approach to environmental monitoring and research that are fundamentally different than traditional question-driven, experimentally designed approaches.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution

Out of 103 students for whom I have served as GSI in three different courses during the last two years, 94 stated that the game increased their knowledge of key concepts, helped them identify areas they needed to review, and that they would recommend the game to a friend over traditional question-and-answer review sessions.

University of California, Berkeley

Then, ask a couple of traditional questions about the person's background and experience.

Harvard Business Review

And the two traditional questions are, what are the cognitive foundations of deductive reasoning, and does deduction depend on logic?

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "traditional question" when referring to a query that has been asked repeatedly over time and is considered a standard part of a discussion or interview. This is particularly useful in fields like journalism, academia, and philosophy.

Common error

Avoid using "traditional question" when the question is simply old or outdated but no longer relevant or commonly asked. Ensure the question still holds significance and is part of current discourse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traditional question" functions as a noun phrase, where "traditional" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "question". It identifies a question that is commonly asked or has been asked for a long time, often within a specific context or field, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traditional question" is a widely used noun phrase that signifies a common or long-standing inquiry, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While it's important to ensure the question remains relevant to the current discussion, using "traditional question" effectively conveys the routine or conventional nature of the query. When a more modern tone is desired, alternatives like "common inquiry" or "standard question" can be considered. With a high expert rating of 4.6, Ludwig reinforces the phrase's correctness and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical question

Emphasizes the usual or expected nature of the question.

often-asked question

Emphasizes the frequency with which the question is posed.

standard question

Highlights that the question is a norm or convention.

established question

Highlights the question's long-standing and recognized position.

common inquiry

Replaces "question" with a synonym, maintaining the focus on the act of asking.

conventional question

Stresses the adherence to accepted customs or norms.

recurring question

Focuses on the repeated nature of the question being asked.

customary question

Focuses on the established practice of asking the question.

perennial question

Suggests the question is enduring and frequently recurring.

time-honored question

Implies the question has a long and respected history.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "traditional question" to sound more modern?

Consider using alternatives like "common inquiry", "typical question", or "standard question" to update the tone while maintaining the meaning.

What's the difference between "traditional question" and "common question"?

"Traditional question" implies a question asked repeatedly over time, often within a specific field or context. "Common question" simply means a question that is frequently asked, without necessarily having a historical or contextual significance.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "traditional question"?

It might be inappropriate if the question is no longer relevant or widely asked. Ensure the question still holds significance in its context. Otherwise, consider a more generic term like "general question".

How to use "traditional question" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The interviewer began with the "traditional question" about my career goals." or "Facing the "traditional question" of challengers to incumbents – 'are you better-off now than four years ago?'".