SpeakUp

Grammar fix

a burning question

pressing or urgent question

an important question that people are very eager to have answered, often because it is controversial, unresolved, or has significant consequences

collocationC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The burning question is whether the company will survive after the scandal.communication
  • One burning question in education today is how to balance technology use with traditional teaching methods.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: a burning question (about/of something)

WrongIt's a burning hot question for everyone.

RightIt's a burning question for everyone.

'Burning question' is the fixed phrase — don't add 'hot'.

Patterna burning question (about/of something)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff This is a question of the utmost urgency that demands resolution.

Natural So here's the burning question.

'Burning question' is the natural collocation for a pressing one; the formal paraphrase is heavy.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • burning + question
    the burning questiona burning issueburning desirebegs the question

Don't confuse it

Unlike 'an important question' (B2), 'a burning question' suggests urgency, controversy, or intense curiosity. It is not used for routine or factual questions.

Try it in Daily Speak →