I queried whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"I queried whether" is a perfectly correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is used to express doubt or a question about something. An example sentence would be "I queried whether it was possible to get a refund from the airline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When I queried whether the stunt was a little OTT for a movie promo, Percelay shrugged the idea off.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a previous post, I queried whether mathematical models of the type that he uses add anything to the polls they rely on, and to simple polls of polls, such as those of R.C.P. and T.P.M.

The New Yorker

So when, exactly nine minutes and 40 seconds ago, I queried whether any of us really stopped to consider the full import of Eliot's lines, I wasn't being rhetorical.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Oh, and while I query whether an album in which one man offers to sodomise another with a piping hot coathanger is really a wise choice for the sceptical rap novice, there's no denying Enter the Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers) was a popular choice (so I opted for Bring Da Ruckus).

The Guardian - Music

In my soon to be released The Jewish Encounter with Hinduism (Palgrave-Macmillan, 2015) I query whether Dayananda was over-optimistic in his reading of the summits' achievements and whether indeed the issue of idolatry is off the table once and for all.

Huffington Post

I queried with colleagues whether it was thunder, but the sky was blue.

The Guardian

When I queried him about whether or not he thought fast food executives should take pay cuts to compensate for the increase in unskilled wages, he shrugged, blinked for awhile, and finally sputtered out, "Well, I'm not quite sure how to answer that, but right now, our goal is to send out a message to hope our demands are met".

Vice

At the time I was querying whether he'd got that right, but I realise now Terry was right, and that was exactly the right thing to do – if you wanted the news you could get it elsewhere, and if you wanted to stay a part of Terry's world he was going to carry on bringing it to you.

The Guardian

"Of course I love competition but if you ask do we need another singing talent show I would query whether you do or not.

The Guardian

He queried whether World Book Night would bring in new readers, saying: "I suspect it will be nice bookish people giving the books to other nice bookish people".

The Guardian - Books

Another analyst queried whether Asos had expanded too quickly.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I queried whether" when you want to introduce a question or express doubt in a formal or semi-formal context. This phrasing is suitable for written communication, reports, or academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "I queried whether" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in those situations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I wondered if" or "I asked if".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I queried whether" serves as an introductory phrase to express a question or doubt. It functions to introduce an inquiry, often with a hint of skepticism. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in expressing doubts and questions about various topics.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I queried whether" is a phrase used to introduce a question or express doubt, suitable for formal or semi-formal contexts. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct but relatively rare in everyday conversation. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources and scientific publications. It is recommended to avoid overusing it in informal settings, opting instead for simpler alternatives such as "I wondered if" or "I asked if". When using this phrase, remember that it often carries a hint of skepticism, prompting further examination or discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I questioned whether

Replaces 'queried' with 'questioned', a more common and slightly less formal synonym.

I inquired whether

Substitutes 'queried' with 'inquired', indicating a formal inquiry.

I asked myself if

Replaces 'queried whether' with 'asked myself if', reflecting an internal consideration.

I wondered if

Uses 'wondered if' instead of 'queried whether', suggesting a less direct form of questioning.

I considered whether

Employs 'considered whether', indicating a deeper reflection on a matter.

I investigated whether

Replaces 'queried' with 'investigated', implying a thorough examination.

I examined if

Uses 'examined if' indicating a careful scrutiny.

I debated whether

Implies an internal argument using 'debated whether'.

I speculated if

Suggests a degree of conjecture by using 'speculated if'.

I had doubts about whether

Expresses uncertainty by using "I had doubts about whether".

FAQs

How can I use "I queried whether" in a sentence?

Use "I queried whether" to introduce a question or express doubt about something. For example, "I queried whether the data was accurate" or "I queried whether the project would be completed on time".

What are some alternatives to "I queried whether"?

Alternatives include "I questioned whether", "I inquired whether", or "I wondered if". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is "I queried whether" formal?

"I queried whether" is more formal than alternatives like "I wondered if" or "I asked myself if". It's appropriate for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "I queried whether" and "I asked whether"?

"I asked whether" is a more direct and general way to introduce a question. "I queried whether" implies a degree of skepticism or doubt, suggesting you're not simply asking for information but also questioning the validity or possibility of something.