could be question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be question" is not correct in English.
It should be "could be a question." You can use it when speculating about the possibility of something being a question. Example: "This statement could be a question if it were phrased differently."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Linebackers Mo Lewis (hip surgery) and Marvin Jones (shoulder surgery), who played well during the Jets' defensive renaissance despite injuries, could be question marks because of their contracts and age.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They could be questioned if a sample came up positive.

The New York Times - Sports

He noted that Verrazano's ability to go the distance could be questioned.

The New York Times - Sports

You could be questioned about being five minutes late arriving in the morning.

The New York Times

It could be questioned whether Heatherwick's design best serves the vision of the bridge.

The Guardian - Arts

The sanity of that decision could be questioned on many levels.

The New York Times - Sports

Whether 'the best' and 'aligned with each other' could be questioned, I guess.

The Guardian - Tech

Before he could be questioned, he killed himself in his cell.

The Guardian - Books

Brown dismisses criticism that the value of her research on sunglasses could be questioned.

The Guardian

Of greater concern is whether Ms. White's impartiality could be questioned because of her prior representation of a client.

The New York Times

"There could be questions about volume limits and credit — a younger rep may be cut off earlier.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When implying doubt or uncertainty, prefer grammatically correct phrases such as "could be a question" or "could be questioned". This ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "could be question" directly, as it's grammatically incorrect. Instead, use a correct form like "could be a question" when suggesting something might become a question or "could be questioned" to indicate something might be doubted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be question" is intended to function as a modal phrase expressing possibility or speculation. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct usage would be "could be a question" or "could be questioned".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be question" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI has pointed out, the intended meaning is better conveyed by using either "could be a question" or "could be questioned". The first suggests something might become a question, while the second implies something is open to doubt. While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian were identified in the examples, it's crucial to use the corrected phrases to ensure clarity and credibility in both formal and informal writing. Remember to choose the phrasing that accurately reflects your intended meaning: possibility of a question or subject to doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be doubted

Replaces "question" with "doubted", emphasizing uncertainty about truth or reliability.

might be questionable

Changes "question" to its adjective form "questionable", focusing on the dubiousness of something.

may be challenged

Replaces "question" with "challenged", highlighting the act of disputing or contesting something.

could be uncertain

Focuses on the lack of certainty surrounding a topic, replacing "question" with "uncertain".

might be disputed

Highlights the potential for disagreement or argument, substituting "question" with "disputed".

could be subject to debate

Emphasizes the possibility of discussion and differing opinions, replacing "question" with a more formal expression.

may warrant scrutiny

Suggests something deserves close examination, moving away from a direct question to a need for investigation.

might raise concerns

Focuses on potential worries or anxieties, shifting the emphasis from a question to a feeling of unease.

could spark inquiry

Indicates that something might initiate investigation or questioning, altering the original phrase's directness.

may invite skepticism

Suggests that something is likely to be met with doubt, changing the focus to the anticipated reaction.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "could be question"?

The phrase "could be question" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "could be a question" or "could be questioned".

What does "could be questioned" mean?

"Could be questioned" means that something is open to doubt or debate. It suggests that there are reasons to challenge or scrutinize a particular idea, fact, or statement.

What are some alternatives to "could be a question"?

Alternatives to "could be a question" include "might be a question", "may be a question", or "poses a question".

When should I use "could be questioned" versus "could be a question"?

Use "could be questioned" when you mean something might be doubted or challenged. Use "could be a question" when you mean something has the potential to be phrased or considered as a question.