began to question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "began to question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone started to doubt or inquire about something. Example: "After hearing the conflicting reports, she began to question the validity of the information provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But she soon began to question Communism.

The New York Times

The tunnel officer began to question him.

The New York Times

He began to question everything I did.

The Guardian

Daring theologians began to question papal infallibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

Reimann flashed his F.B.I. badge, and began to question Lindh.

The New Yorker

His eyes began to question more and more.

The New Yorker

"That's when I began to question it all.

The Guardian - Sport

However, some began to question the prime minister's judgment.

The New York Times

Still, five days later, Fuller began to question prospective jurors.

The New Yorker

"They began to question Nepal society for the first time".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I began to question principles that had been sacrosanct," he told Ms Urbano.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to question" when you want to emphasize the initial stage of someone's doubts or inquiries about a particular topic or belief.

Common error

Avoid using "began to question" excessively in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "reconsidered" or "re-evaluated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to question" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of a process of doubt, inquiry, or critical assessment. Ludwig shows that this phrase is often used to express a shift in someone's thinking or perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to question" is a versatile verb phrase that indicates the starting point of doubt or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, slight variations like "started to doubt" or "began to wonder" can offer different nuances. When using this phrase, consider whether emphasizing the initiation of doubt or the exploration of a topic is your primary goal. With a high expert rating, this expression is valuable for expressing a shift in perspective in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to wonder

Emphasizes the initial stage of contemplation and uncertainty.

started to doubt

Highlights the emergence of disbelief or skepticism.

began to examine

Focuses on the initiation of a closer inspection or analysis.

started to analyze

Highlights the commencement of a detailed study or assessment.

began to reconsider

Implies a renewed thought process, possibly leading to a change in opinion.

started to challenge

Indicates the initial phase of disputing or contesting something.

began to scrutinize

Focuses on the starting point of critical observation and examination.

started to investigate

Highlights the commencement of systematic or formal inquiry.

began to assess

Implies the initiation of evaluating or judging something.

started to probe

Highlights the start of in-depth questioning and exploration.

FAQs

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

You can use "began to question" to indicate the starting point of someone's doubts or inquiries. For example, "After the incident, he "began to question" his initial assumptions."

What are some alternatives to "began to question"?

Alternatives include phrases like "started to doubt", "began to wonder", or "started to reconsider", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "started to question" or "began to question"?

"Began to question" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "started to question", but the difference is minimal. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and context.

What's the difference between "began to question" and "started to investigate"?

"Began to question" implies the emergence of doubt or inquiry, while "started to investigate" suggests taking active steps to examine or research something. Questioning can be internal, while investigating is usually an external action.