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I'm confused whether the verb answer should come with the preposition in or without it in a sentence "the timing a question will be answered in is important" or "the timing a question will be answered is important"? If both sentences are right, is there any difference in the meaning between the two?

Also, does the sentence sound natural or it should be rephrased?

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    'The time a question will be answered in' refers to how long it takes to give an answer. 'The time a question will be answered' refers to the time of day, or which month etc, it will be answered.
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Apr 24, 2015 at 17:52
  • Neither. If I understand the context it should be something like "the time taken to answer the question is important" if you want to know how long it takes, or "the time at which the question is answered is important" if you wish to know the time-of-day.
    – Hot Licks
    Apr 24, 2015 at 18:14

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Alternatives:

"The timing of answering a question is important"

"The time of answering a question is important"

Different.

timing = selection for maximum effect of the precise moment for beginning or doing something

Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary

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