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Old 13-Oct-2006, 13:13
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Default An unfair question?

Hi,
I’m looking for an adjective to modify such words as question, comparison when they contain some logic(al?) fallacy, for example one is supposed to give only 1 answer:
1. Which is better a) tea b) coffee
2. Find the verb (not verbs) in the sentence: I should have known better.
Sometimes this kind of questions - referring to any sphere- are deliberately used as a demagogical trick in some debates in order to entice the adversary into a wrong path and disorientate them.
Could it be an ill-posed question/ comparison?
Tnx

  #2  
Old 13-Oct-2006, 13:51
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Default Re: An unfair question?

deceitful?
delusive?
fallacious?
misleading?
divertive?

Probably I would go for misleading...
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Old 13-Oct-2006, 19:12
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Default Re: An unfair question?

A trick question?
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Old 13-Oct-2006, 20:58
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Default Re: An unfair question?

Tnx, Mariner,
I think there's probably only one which forms a set collocation with question or comparison. In Russian it sounds like an incorrect question/comparison, but I'm afraid of calques.
Cheers
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Old 26-Oct-2006, 05:08
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Default Re: An unfair question?

Hi,
Anybody else, please?
Tnx
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Old 26-Oct-2006, 07:34
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Default Re: An unfair question?

.
I think the suggestion from Rewboss (trick question) sounds good.
.
You could also say a loaded question. This expression can be used when there's some kind of explosive, hidden agenda or emotionally charged issue involved, so it doesn't really fit your examples very well.
.
Both are common collocations, however.

Last edited by Philly; 26-Oct-2006 at 08:16.
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Old 26-Oct-2006, 11:57
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Default Re: An unfair question?

There's also a leading question. This was originally applied to a question that led a witness in a court case to suggest something that the barrister [lawyer/counsel/advocate - depending on where you come from] wanted them to say, but it is quite frequently used now to refer to a question that invites an incriminating answer: "When did you stop beating your wife?"

b
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Old 26-Oct-2006, 14:38
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Default Re: An unfair question?

Thanks, Philly and Bob,
I do appreciate these pieces of info, still the elusive word escapes. Irrelevant? No. I know it's often used in scientific or other debates. I will think of other contexts to let you get what I mean.
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