unsettled question that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unsettled question that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that remains unresolved or lacks a definitive answer. Example: "The unsettled question that has puzzled researchers for decades is whether climate change is primarily driven by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some science teachers swear by creationism, but that does not mean that evolution is an unsettled question and that school science lessons should offer creationism as an alternative to their choosy "consumers" (as pupils were, and still are, seen by some ministers).

The Guardian

One question that remains unsettled is the nationalities of suicide bombers.

The New York Times

One question that remained unsettled was the choice of prime minister.

The New York Times

The Obama administration is also insisting on immunity for any U.S. troops that remain in Afghanistan, and that unsettled question will figure in this week's talks between Obama and Karzai and their aides.

Huffington Post

But every once in a while the interview went off the beaten path; Harlow asked a follow-up question that made it zig instead of zag, and the economist seemed surprised and somewhat unsettled.

Columbia University

We point out unsettled questions and assumptions that remain to be scrutinized.

BioEssays

Mr. Colburn's guilt is uncontested, but the unsettled question is whether it matters that he dozed through his own trial because he was so heavily medicated with antipsychotic drugs.

The New York Times

(In the law, that's an unsettled question: The Supreme Court could soon agree to hear a separate Wisconsin case that addresses squarely the validity of "partisan" gerrymandering).

Huffington Post

While this does not prove that the EM is superfluous, it does raise another unsettled question, whether all these Epicureans believe that there is only one mode of sign-inference, the SM, or two (as suggested by Zeno in §1, e.g., xii 2 31).

SEP

There are two unsettled questions about Obama that a final, bitter counter-offensive from Clinton may help answer: Does Obama have the toughness required to beat John McCain, and, more important, to serve as President?

The New Yorker

And he said that "this is an unsettled question" and indicated the option of letting the Treasury market effectively disappear could also be considered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unsettled question that" to introduce a topic where there's no consensus or definitive answer. This phrase works well in academic papers, news articles, and analytical reports.

Common error

Avoid using "unsettled question that" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "something we don't know yet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unsettled question that" serves as an introductory element, setting the stage for a discussion of a topic lacking definitive resolution or agreement. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions to highlight existing uncertainties.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unsettled question that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that frames a topic as uncertain or unresolved. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to introduce subjects lacking definitive resolution across various domains, mostly in news, science and academia. While versatile, it is best suited for formal contexts and should be avoided in casual settings. Alternatives such as "unresolved issue that" or "debatable point that" can offer nuanced variations. Overall, "unsettled question that" provides a structured means of highlighting uncertainties in academic papers, news analysis, or analytical reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unresolved issue that

Replaces "question" with "issue" for a broader scope of uncertainty.

debatable point that

Emphasizes the aspect of ongoing debate rather than simple lack of resolution.

open question that

Highlights the lack of a definitive answer or conclusion.

unanswered question that

Focuses specifically on the absence of an answer.

contested matter that

Implies active disagreement and opposition surrounding the question.

pending question that

Indicates that the question is still awaiting a decision or resolution.

unsettled matter which

Uses "matter" instead of "question" and "which" instead of "that".

problematic question that

Suggests that the question poses difficulties or challenges.

unclear issue that

Focuses on the lack of clarity or understanding surrounding the issue.

disputed topic that

Highlights the presence of disagreement or controversy.

FAQs

How to use "unsettled question that" in a sentence?

Use "unsettled question that" to introduce a topic that lacks a definitive answer or is subject to ongoing debate. For example, "The unsettled question that remains is whether the new policy will effectively reduce crime rates."

What can I say instead of "unsettled question that"?

You can use alternatives like "unresolved issue that", "debatable point that", or "open question that" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "unsettled question that"?

It's appropriate to use "unsettled question that" in formal writing or discussions where you want to emphasize that a particular issue is not yet resolved or agreed upon.

Which is more formal, "unsettled question that" or "unanswered question that"?

"Unsettled question that" and "unanswered question that" are both relatively formal, but "unsettled question that" suggests a more complex situation involving debate or lack of consensus, while "unanswered question that" simply indicates a lack of an answer.