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.
One vexed question in modern society is how to ensure privacy while still benefiting from technological advances.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: It's a vex question that no one can answer.
Say: It's a vexed question that no one can answer.
It's the fixed adjective 'vexed', not 'vex'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'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 question
- of
- remains a
- thorny
- the vexed question of