allowed to question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing permissions or rights to inquire or seek clarification on a matter. Example: "In this forum, all participants are allowed to question the decisions made by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither American officials nor IAEA inspectors have been allowed to question him.

The Economist

I was allowed to question what he did, and he could question what I did.

The New Yorker

"In my family, children weren't allowed to question what adults did or said," he says.

The Washington Post

To have a real debate, the contestants should be allowed to question each other directly.

The New York Times

At Noah's Ark, you are not allowed to question the Bible.

The Guardian

Tennis players, for example, are allowed to question line judges a maximum of three times per set.

The Economist

Among hardline neoliberals, no one is allowed to question the sanctity of the market – not even the pontiff himself.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm allowed to question these things, question them and think about them and hopefully get other people talking about them.

The Washington Post

Prosecutors were allowed to question Mr. Melesse about many of his conversations with Mrs. Silverman about Mr. Kimes.

The New York Times

At the Johnson Space Center in Houston I saw dozens of situations where ordinary people were allowed to question astronauts.

The New York Times

Under an agreement with the Afghan government, British forces are allowed to question green on blue suspects for three days before passing them into Afghan custody.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed to question", ensure the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission and what the scope of the questioning is. This avoids ambiguity and clarifies the dynamic between the parties involved.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "allowed to question" grants unlimited access or authority. Clearly define the boundaries and limitations to prevent overstepping the granted permission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to question" functions as a verbal phrase indicating permission or authorization to inquire or challenge. This can be observed across various examples from Ludwig, where individuals or entities are granted the right to seek information or clarification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allowed to question" is a verbal phrase denoting permission or the right to inquire, challenge, or seek clarification. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in English, spanning various contexts from News & Media to Scientific and Formal settings. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines who grants the permission and its limitations. Alternatives include "permitted to ask" or "authorized to inquire", varying slightly in formality. Be mindful of the scope of the permission to avoid misinterpretations. Using "allowed to question" effectively enhances transparency and fosters constructive dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to ask

Replaces "allowed" with "permitted", emphasizing formal consent.

authorized to inquire

Uses "authorized" to suggest official approval for questioning.

free to inquire

Highlights the freedom to ask questions without restriction.

entitled to interrogate

Employs "entitled" implying a right to question, with "interrogate" suggesting a more formal or intensive questioning.

has the right to ask

Emphasizes the legal or moral entitlement to pose questions.

given leave to probe

Replaces "allowed" with "given leave" to indicate permission, and "question" with "probe" to suggest a thorough investigation.

at liberty to query

Uses "at liberty" to convey freedom, with "query" as a more formal alternative to "question".

able to challenge

Focuses on the ability to dispute or contest, rather than simply ask.

empowered to investigate

Suggests the authority and capability to conduct a detailed examination.

licensed to examine

Employs "licensed" to suggest official permission, and "examine" for a more thorough investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "allowed to question" in a sentence?

You can use "allowed to question" to indicate that someone has permission to ask questions. For example, "The students were "allowed to question" the professor after the lecture".

What's a more formal alternative to "allowed to question"?

A more formal alternative would be "permitted to inquire", which suggests a more official or structured setting.

Is it correct to say "able to question" instead of "allowed to question"?

While "able to question" is grammatically correct, it focuses more on the ability or capability, whereas "allowed to question" emphasizes the permission granted. So, if you need to communicate permission, use ""allowed to question"".

In what contexts is "allowed to question" most commonly used?

"Allowed to question" is frequently used in contexts related to legal proceedings, academic discussions, and workplace inquiries, where the right or permission to ask questions is relevant.