ultimate question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'ultimate question' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the most essential or important question that needs to be asked on a particular matter. For example: The ultimate question is whether the proposed project is worth the cost.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So here's my ultimate question.

Cornell University

But the ultimate question remained.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet our proposals sidestepped the ultimate question.

The New Yorker

But the ultimate question, of relevance to humans, remains unanswered.

The New York Times - Health

Reichheld and Markey, "The Ultimate Question 2.0," 231.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is the ultimate question in the privacy tradeoff.

University of California, Berkeley

The ultimate question: How will we pay for it?

Cornell University

The ultimate question is why we enjoy certain meals.

Nature

Yet the ultimate question remains: which player is better?

The New York Times - Sports

The ultimate question is whether adaptation alone is enough.

The New York Times - Sports

"But the ultimate question is, does this change outcomes for patients?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "ultimate question" to highlight the most important question that needs to be addressed in a discussion or analysis. It effectively emphasizes the significance of the query.

Common error

While "ultimate question" is effective, avoid overusing it. Employ synonyms like "essential question" or "key question" to maintain variety and prevent the writing from becoming repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate question" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most important or fundamental question within a specific context. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. Examples across various sources demonstrate its function to pinpoint the central inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

50%

Science & Research

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ultimate question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for highlighting the most crucial inquiry in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various fields. Its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal settings. To avoid repetition, consider synonyms like ""essential question"" or "key question". Remember to utilize this phrase to clearly pinpoint the core issue under consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

essential question

Replaces "ultimate" with "essential", conveying the same sense of fundamental importance but with a slightly different emphasis.

fundamental question

Substitutes "ultimate" with "fundamental", indicating a foundational and crucial query.

key question

Uses "key" instead of "ultimate", highlighting the question's importance as a central point.

central question

Replaces "ultimate" with "central", focusing on the question's role as the core issue.

primary question

Uses "primary" instead of "ultimate", indicating the question's foremost importance.

main question

Substitutes "ultimate" with "main", signifying the principal query.

core question

Replaces "ultimate" with "core", emphasizing the question's position at the heart of the matter.

basic question

Uses "basic" instead of "ultimate", suggesting the foundational nature of the inquiry.

underlying question

Replaces "ultimate" with "underlying", focusing on the question that forms the basis of something.

overarching question

Substitutes "ultimate" with "overarching", indicating a comprehensive and all-encompassing query.

FAQs

How to use "ultimate question" in a sentence?

You can use "ultimate question" to emphasize the core inquiry in a discussion. For example, "The "essential question" is whether this project aligns with our long-term goals."

What can I say instead of "ultimate question"?

You can use alternatives like ""essential question"", "fundamental question", or "key question" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "ultimate question" or "final question"?

Both "ultimate question" and "final question" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Ultimate question" refers to the most important or fundamental question, while "final question" refers to the last question in a series.

What's the difference between "ultimate question" and "important question"?

"Ultimate question" implies a higher level of significance and fundamentality compared to simply an "important question". The "ultimate question" is the most critical one to address.