are under question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are under question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing topics, ideas, or statements that are being doubted or scrutinized. Example: "The validity of the research findings are under question due to inconsistencies in the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Her former PR guru Maurice Saatchi fretted that "her principles of capitalism are under question".

The Guardian - Opinion

A spokesman for the Games in Rio defended four American Olympic swimmers whose accounts of an armed robbery over the weekend are under question by the Brazilian police, saying they are just kids.

The New York Times

Many key findings of psychological research are under question.

BBC

Ecological restoration's basic tenets are under question in the context of rapidly changing environments.

Ecological Processes

This evaluation has been conducted through teacher evaluation questionnaires (Marsh et al. 2009) which are under question for reliability concerns (Feistauer and Richter 2016).

Language Testing in Asia

The reputations of two of China's most senior figures in transplantation are under question.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

What document is under question?

The New York Times

Their once inscrutable mentality is under question.

The Guardian - Sport

The government's ability to clamp down is under question.

The Economist

"Now our credibility with the people is under question," said Zalmi Sherzad, a program official.

The New York Times

Detached from the epochal change in evolutionary and historic terms, the efficiency of pedagogy is under question.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are under question", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being doubted or scrutinized. Providing specific reasons for the doubt enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are under question" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "are in doubt" or "are being doubted" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are under question" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that the subject's validity, reliability, or truthfulness is being doubted or scrutinized. It typically describes topics, ideas, or statements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are under question" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates doubt or scrutiny, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a predicate adjective to express uncertainty in formal contexts, appearing commonly in news, science and formal business domains. Alternative phrases such as "are being doubted" or ""are questionable"" can be used depending on the nuance desired. It is advisable to avoid overusing it in informal contexts and ensure clarity by specifying what is being questioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are questionable

A more succinct way of saying something's validity is doubtful.

are uncertain

Highlights a lack of definiteness or reliability.

are in doubt

Directly states that something is uncertain or questionable.

are being doubted

Focuses on the act of doubting something, placing emphasis on skepticism.

are being challenged

Highlights the act of contesting or disputing something, suggesting active opposition.

are subject to scrutiny

Emphasizes that something is being closely and critically examined.

are viewed with skepticism

Highlights a cautious and doubtful perspective towards something.

are open to debate

Indicates that something is not settled and can be discussed from different viewpoints.

are not considered definitive

States that something is not final or conclusive, implying further investigation is needed.

are contentious

Emphasizes that something is likely to cause disagreement or argument.

FAQs

How can I use "are under question" in a sentence?

Use "are under question" to indicate that the validity or reliability of something is being doubted. For example, "The research findings "are under question" due to inconsistencies in the data".

What's the difference between "are under question" and "are being questioned"?

"Are under question" suggests a state of doubt, while "are being questioned" implies an active process of inquiry or investigation. The former focuses on the status, the latter on the action.

What can I say instead of "are under question"?

You can use alternatives like "are in doubt", "are being challenged", or "are questionable" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "is under question" or "are under question"?

Use "is under question" for singular subjects and "are under question" for plural subjects. For example, "His honesty "is under question"" versus "Their motives "are under question"".