leading question
C1Formal, Professional, Academic, Legal
Definition
Meaning
A question phrased in a way that suggests or prompts a particular answer, often seen as unfair or manipulative.
In law, a question that suggests the answer the examiner expects or desires, typically not allowed during direct examination of a witness. In broader contexts, any question that guides the respondent towards a predetermined conclusion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Although 'leading' is an adjective, the phrase 'leading question' functions as a compound noun. It is inherently negative in connotation, implying a lack of neutrality and potential manipulation. The meaning is technical and specific.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal definition and restriction on its use are identical in both jurisdictions. The term is equally common and understood in legal and journalistic contexts.
Connotations
Identical negative connotation of unfairness or prompting a desired response.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media discussions about police interrogations or political interviews, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The lawyer [verb: asked/posed/objected to] a leading question.That is a leading question, [clause: because it suggests I agree].The question was leading, [prepositional phrase: in its phrasing].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't lead the witness (legal idiom related to the concept).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when discussing market research or employee feedback, cautioning against survey questions that bias the results.
Academic
Used in social science methodology to critique survey or interview design that compromises validity.
Everyday
Used to criticise someone in a debate or conversation for asking a question that presupposes its own answer.
Technical
Core term in law, journalism, psychology, and polling. In law, specific rules govern when it is permissible (e.g., during cross-examination).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The barrister's questioning was deemed leading and therefore objectionable.
- A leading-question style was evident throughout the interview.
American English
- The attorney was warned for using a leading-question technique.
- His line of inquiry was overly leading.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher asked a leading question to help us find the right answer.
- Is 'You liked the film, didn't you?' a leading question? I think it is.
- The journalist was accused of asking leading questions to create a more dramatic story.
- Good survey design avoids leading questions to ensure unbiased data.
- The judge sustained the objection because the prosecutor's question was clearly leading the witness.
- The researcher's findings were questioned due to the preponderance of leading questions in the interview protocol.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a dog walker 'leading' a dog with a leash. A 'leading question' tries to lead or pull the answerer towards a specific answer.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUESTIONS ARE PATHS; A LEADING QUESTION IS A FORCED OR NARROW PATH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'leading' as 'ведущий' (as in a leader). The correct conceptual translation is 'наводящий вопрос' (a question that 'leads on' or guides). Confusion may arise with the separate term 'rhetorical question' (риторический вопрос).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to simply mean a 'key' or 'important' question (e.g., 'The leading question of our time is climate change' – this is incorrect).
- Confusing it with a 'loaded question', which contains a controversial or unjustified assumption *within* the question (e.g., 'Have you stopped cheating on tests?'). A leading question suggests the *answer*, not just an assumption.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these scenarios is a 'leading question' MOST appropriately identified?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. In law, they are permitted on cross-examination to challenge a witness. In everyday life, they can be used pedagogically (e.g., a teacher guiding a student). However, they are generally considered bad practice in neutral information-gathering contexts like research, journalism, or surveys.
A leading question suggests a specific desired answer (e.g., 'The weather is nice, isn't it?'). A loaded question contains a controversial or damning assumption regardless of how you answer it (e.g., 'Have you stopped lying to your boss?'). Both can be problematic, but they are distinct logical fallacies.
Yes, very often. Questions like 'You saw the defendant, didn't you?' or 'The light was red, wasn't it?' are classic examples of leading questions because they prompt a 'yes' or 'no' answer in a suggestive manner.
Use open-ended questions that begin with 'What', 'How', 'Why', 'Describe', or 'Tell me about...'. Avoid questions that start with 'Did you', 'Don't you think', or 'Isn't it true that', as these often lead the respondent.