Sub-query · Synthetic query
A sub-query is a synthetic query generated by an AI engine from the initial query. Analyses of Google patents identify eight recurring forms: equivalent, follow-up, generalization, specification, canonicalization, translation, entailment and clarification.
Standalone definition · 32 words
How do sub-queries come about?
In a query fan-out, the engine breaks the question into angles: rephrasings, refinements, follow-up questions, versions in other languages. Each angle becomes a sub-query run in parallel, invisible to the user.
What are the eight types of sub-queries?
Equivalent (rephrasing), follow-up (next question), generalization (broader version), specification (more constrained version), canonicalization (normalized wording), translation (another language), entailment (question that follows from the intent) and clarification (refining the intent). The typology comes from Mike King’s (iPullRank) analysis of Google patents.
How do you use them when writing?
List the likely sub-questions of a target query, then dedicate a section to each, with a question-style heading and a standalone answer at the top. Bing’s grounding queries let you check real phrasings.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Google’s sub-queries?
Not directly. Tools simulate them, with no guarantee of matching the internal sub-queries.
Sub-query and grounding query: what is the difference?
A sub-query is any query generated by decomposition. A grounding query is the one used to retrieve sources.
Should I create a page per sub-query?
Not necessarily. A page can cover several sub-queries if each angle has its own standalone section.