Grammar fix
a vexed question
a vexed question (difficult problem)
an issue or problem that is difficult to solve or discuss, often because people strongly disagree about it or it has caused trouble for a long time
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The vexed question of how to balance work and family life continues to challenge policymakers.society
- One vexed question in modern society is how to ensure privacy while still benefiting from technological advances.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: a vexed question (of something)
WrongIt's a vex question that no one can answer.
RightIt's a vexed question that no one can answer.
It's the fixed adjective 'vexed', not 'vex'.
Patterna vexed question (of something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'A vexed question' is the set literary phrase for a thorny, long-disputed issue; the paraphrase is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a vexed questionofremains athornythe vexed question of
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'a difficult question', which is neutral and general, 'a vexed question' suggests the issue has caused disagreement or trouble for some time. It is more formal and often used for topics that provoke debate.