calls into question

USAGE SUMMARY

"calls into question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to show that someone or something is making you question an idea or opinion. For example: The contradictory evidence calls into question the validity of the initial research findings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

New research calls into question other beliefs.

The New York Times - Tech

This calls into question the leadership there".

The New York Times

It calls into question our judicial independence.

The Guardian

Rather calls into question my entire worldview.

The Guardian - Sport

"This calls into question the Christie administration's commitment".

The New York Times

"It calls into question the sincerity of the government.

The New York Times

All this calls into question a theory in evolutionary psychology.

The Guardian - Opinion

These are all points that Meller calls into question.

The Guardian - Music

Clearly, the jobs report calls into question that analysis.

The New Yorker

This calls into question the whole premise of Mild Month.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The new study also calls into question the very idea of aspirin resistance.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "calls into question", provide specific evidence or reasoning to support the challenge you're presenting. This strengthens your argument and adds credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "calls into question" merely as a stylistic flourish. Ensure that you follow up with specific reasons or evidence that justify the questioning. Otherwise, the phrase may sound empty or unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "calls into question" is to act as a verb phrase that introduces doubt or challenges the validity of a statement, idea, or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "calls into question" is a versatile expression used to introduce doubt or challenge the validity of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using "calls into question", it's crucial to provide supporting evidence to strengthen your argument. While alternatives like "raises doubts about" and "challenges the validity of" exist, "calls into question" often implies a more analytical and reasoned examination. Overusing the phrase without proper context can weaken your argument. The frequent use of "calls into question" in authoritative sources, as seen in Ludwig, underscores its credibility and appropriateness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raises doubts about

Emphasizes the creation of uncertainty regarding something.

challenges the validity of

Directly confronts the accuracy or truth of something.

casts doubt upon

Similar to "raises doubts about" but can imply a stronger degree of skepticism.

undermines the basis of

Suggests weakening the foundation or support of an idea or argument.

puts in doubt

A more concise way of saying that something is being questioned.

gives reason to doubt

Indicates that there is a valid cause for skepticism.

questions the premise of

Focuses on the fundamental assumptions being challenged.

challenges the assumption

Similar to 'questions the premise of', but highlights an assumption specifically.

brings into dispute

Introduces the idea that something is now contested or debated.

throws suspicion on

Suggests something is regarded with distrust or skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "calls into question" in a sentence?

Use "calls into question" to express doubt or challenge the validity of something. For example, "The new evidence "calls into question" the initial findings of the study".

What can I say instead of "calls into question"?

You can use alternatives like "raises doubts about", "challenges the validity of", or "casts doubt upon" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "calls into question" or "questions"?

"Calls into question" is more formal and suggests a deeper, more reasoned challenge than simply "questions". Use ""calls into question"" when you want to emphasize the significance or implications of the doubt.

What's the difference between "calls into question" and "casts doubt on"?

"Calls into question" often implies a more analytical or critical examination leading to doubt, while "casts doubt on" suggests introducing uncertainty or skepticism, sometimes without necessarily implying a detailed analysis.