Advice

[anlashok_98]

To professors, pundits, and others:

The phrase you are looking for is "This raises the question..."
The phrase "this begs the question" does not mean what you think it means.

That is all.

Comments

[pmoc]

That begs the question: how much misuse does it take for a word or phrase to change its meaning?

[anlashok_98]

If I answer your question, does that mean I am tacitly accepting your abuse of the English language?

I'd say if changing the rule makes for more natural-sounding language or better meter, go for it. So end sentences with prepositions when appropriate, and use "to boldly go" instead of "to go boldly" because the former has iambic meter.

But adding an extraneous syllable to "regardless"? Nope, wrong. Using "begs the question" when the correct phrase is neither obscure nor awkward? Also wrong.