rhetorical question

Meaning

A rhetorical question is a question asked to make a point, persuade the audience, or produce an emotional effect, rather than to elicit an actual answer. The answer is usually obvious or implied within the context. It is widely used in essays, speeches, and everyday conversations.

Examples

• When the speaker asked, 'Do we want our children to suffer?', it was clearly a rhetorical question.

  When the speaker asked, 'Do we want our children to suffer?', it was clearly a rhetorical question.

• Avoid using too many rhetorical questions in your academic essay, as they can make your writing sound informal.

  Avoid using too many rhetorical questions in your academic essay, as they can make your writing sound informal.

• She didn't wait for an answer because she had only asked a rhetorical question.

  She didn't wait for an answer because she had only asked a rhetorical question.

• A well-placed rhetorical question can engage the audience and make them think deeply about your topic.

  A well-placed rhetorical question can engage the audience and make them think deeply about your topic.

• 'Who knows?' is a common rhetorical question we use when something is completely unpredictable.

  'Who knows?' is a common rhetorical question we use when something is completely unpredictable.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He asked me a rhetorical question, so I gave him a long explanation.

  ✓ He asked me a rhetorical question, so I didn't reply.

  A rhetorical question does not require an answer; answering it literally can show a misunderstanding of the speaker's intent.

• ✗ The professor made a rhetorical question to start the lecture.

  ✓ The professor asked a rhetorical question to start the lecture.

  In English, we 'ask' a question (including rhetorical ones), we do not 'make' a question.

Related Expressions

Practice

• When someone asks 'Who cares?' in frustration, it is usually a ___.

  💡 A question asked for effect, not for an answer.

  Show answer

  rhetorical question

• You don't need to reply; that was just a ___.

  💡 A figure of speech in the form of a question.

  Show answer

  rhetorical question