I questioned them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I questioned them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of asking someone about something or seeking clarification from a group of people. Example: "During the meeting, I questioned them about their decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 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

"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

When, in December, I visited some company executives — including Langert — at the McDonald's headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill., I questioned them not only about gestation crates but on the other issues I believe to be important: the treatment of egg-laying hens and chickens; the quality and variety of their food offerings in general; their relationship to the labor force.

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 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

I have questioned them, I have raised my concerns in the party.

The Guardian

One year I just questioned them, because he was one of the leading riders in the country.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I questioned them", ensure the context clarifies the nature of the questioning. Was it a casual inquiry, a formal investigation, or a challenge to their claims? This will enhance clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "I questioned them" repeatedly without specifying the subject of the questioning or the outcome. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Consider phrases like "I inquired about", "I challenged", or "I probed" depending on the specific situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I questioned them" functions as a statement of past action, where 'I' is the subject, 'questioned' is the verb indicating the action, and 'them' is the object, representing the individuals who were questioned. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I questioned them" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of asking questions to a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly in a wide range of sources. Although versatile, contextual understanding is important in order to convey the nature of questioning clearly, whether for inquiry, challenge, or investigation. By considering these points, users can ensure that their language is precise and engaging for their audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I inquired of them

Replaces "questioned" with the more formal "inquired", implying a polite but direct questioning.

I asked them about it

Uses simpler language for "questioned", focusing on the act of asking for information.

I challenged their claims

Replaces "questioned" with "challenged", indicating a stronger disagreement or doubt.

I interrogated them

Substitutes "questioned" with "interrogated", suggesting a more intense and formal questioning.

I investigated their statements

Emphasizes scrutiny of their statements rather than directly questioning the people.

I pressed them for details

Highlights the persistence in seeking more information from them.

I probed their knowledge

Focuses on assessing the depth of their understanding through questioning.

I scrutinized their responses

Highlights the careful examination of their answers.

I examined their explanation

Focuses on evaluating the clarity and validity of their given explanation.

I vetted their story

Implies a thorough check and verification of the narrative they provided.

FAQs

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

Use "I questioned them" to indicate you asked questions of a group. For example, "I questioned them about their methodology." It directly implies an inquiry was made.

What's a more formal way to say "I questioned them"?

A more formal alternative to "I questioned them" is "I inquired of them". This conveys a more polite and professional tone.

When should I use "I challenged them" instead of "I questioned them"?

Use "I challenged them" when you are not just seeking information, but also expressing doubt or disagreement with their statements or actions. It implies a stronger level of scrutiny.

Is "I questioned to them" grammatically correct?

No, "I questioned to them" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "I questioned them". The verb "question" directly takes the object of the questioning.