I question them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I question them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or inquiry about someone's actions, beliefs, or statements. Example: "Whenever I hear their claims, I question them to understand their reasoning better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I question them if I'm pretty sure about it," Hingis said.

The New York Times - Sports

Do I question them on their priorities?

Huffington Post

And everybody raises their hand, and then I question them: how do you be a feminist and work in Wall Street when feminism is about equality?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I questioned them many times about their identity," Professor Jang said about his meeting with Mr. Fitter and his associates.

The New York Times

Secondly, I questioned them from a scientific standpoint about what happened and why, and led them firmly towards an explanation that reinforced the concept at hand.

University of California, Berkeley

"They didn't like it that I questioned them and they didn't like it when the evidence I asked for to support their case over mine wasn't good enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But when I questioned them, they did say once, that both [points of view] could be right.

Huffington Post

In an instant, I discovered that when I believed my stressful thoughts, I suffered, but when I questioned them, I didn't suffer.

Huffington Post

I won't say I took pleasure in seeing people go home when I questioned them getting a ticket to Hollywood in the first place.

Huffington Post

When I talked to some other Iranian followers of RKoT, I questioned them about the contradiction between a conservative elite denouncing a phenomenon of " Westoxication" and the existence of such a barefaced carnival of wealth.

Vice

"I would question them and they would come back with a response that was adequate to cover my concerns each and every time".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I question them" to express a direct and sometimes challenging inquiry. It's suitable when you want to understand someone's reasoning or actions more deeply.

Common error

Avoid using "I question them" in overly formal contexts where a more polite or indirect inquiry would be appropriate. Consider rephrasing to soften the tone if needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I question them" functions as a declarative statement expressing the act of questioning a group of people. Ludwig shows examples where this questioning can relate to their priorities, identity, or a general challenge to their actions or beliefs. Ludwig AI also confirms the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I question them" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of questioning a group, often implying doubt or a need for further understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and academic discussions. While not exceptionally common, its directness makes it suitable for situations where a clear challenge or inquiry is intended. Remember to consider the level of formality appropriate for your audience when using this phrase, and explore related alternatives to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I inquire of them

Replaces "question" with "inquire", suggesting a more formal approach to asking.

I challenge them

Substitutes "question" with "challenge", implying a confrontational or argumentative stance.

I ask them about it

Simplifies the phrasing, focusing on the act of asking for information.

I investigate their claims

Replaces "question" with "investigate", suggesting a more thorough examination of their statements.

I probe them

Uses "probe" instead of "question", implying a deeper, more intrusive inquiry.

I examine their reasoning

Focuses on scrutinizing their logic and justification.

I scrutinize their views

Emphasizes a critical and detailed examination of their opinions.

I dissect their arguments

Implies a careful and analytical breakdown of their arguments.

I vet their statements

Suggests a process of verification and validation of their assertions.

I express doubt about them

Shifts the focus to expressing skepticism rather than direct questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "I question them" in a sentence?

You can use "I question them" to express that you are inquiring about the actions, motives, or statements of a group of people. For example: "Whenever I hear their claims, "I question them" to understand their reasoning better."

What are some alternatives to "I question them"?

Alternatives include: "I challenge them", "I inquire of them", or "I ask them about it", each carrying slightly different connotations regarding the intensity and formality of the inquiry.

Which is correct, "I question them" or "I am questioning them"?

Both are grammatically correct. ""I question them"" is a simple present tense, used for general statements or habitual actions. "I am questioning them" is present continuous, used for actions happening now or around now.

What's the difference between "I question them" and "I'm questioning them"?

""I question them"" implies a general or repeated action of questioning, while "I'm questioning them" suggests a specific instance of questioning that is currently taking place.