did not question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not raise any doubts or inquiries about a particular matter or situation. Example: "Despite the unusual circumstances, she did not question the decision made by her superiors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Harkins did not question Diem further.

The New Yorker

Collins did not question Hale's decision.

The New York Times - Sports

Her husband did not question.

The New Yorker

The prosecutor did not question Anita.

Cornell University

Eldredge did not question his mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

Authorities did not question the authenticity of the posting.

The New York Times

But Bradlee did not question deeply institutional Washington.

The New Yorker

After his Rangers debut, Kwong did not question Boucher.

The New York Times - Sports

The President did not question the motives behind the allegations.

The New York Times

Begaye said he initially did not question the EPA's assurances.

The Guardian

It did not question Coulson as part of its investigation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not question", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the questioning did not occur. Was it due to trust, lack of interest, or some other reason?

Common error

Avoid using "did not question" in overly complex sentences where it can create ambiguity. Simplify the sentence structure for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not question" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of inquiry, doubt, or challenge. As Ludwig highlights, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. The examples demonstrate its use in describing a passive acceptance or a conscious decision not to probe further.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not question" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of inquiry or challenge. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts, conveying acceptance, deference, or a lack of curiosity. While generally neutral in register, care should be taken to avoid ambiguity in complex sentences. Consider alternatives such as ""did not doubt"" or ""did not challenge"" for nuanced meaning. Understanding these subtleties ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not doubt

Focuses on the absence of doubt rather than the act of questioning.

did not challenge

Emphasizes a lack of confrontation or opposition.

did not dispute

Highlights the absence of disagreement or contesting a point.

did not inquire

Replaces "question" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the lack of investigation.

accepted without reservation

Focuses on complete acceptance without any hesitations.

took at face value

Highlights accepting something as it appears without deeper investigation.

did not investigate

Highlights the absence of any research or deeper inquiry into a subject.

did not probe

Emphasizes a lack of deeper examination or exploration.

remained unquestioning

Focuses on maintaining a state of acceptance without asking questions.

did not demand clarification

Highlights the absence of seeking further explanation or detail.

FAQs

What does "did not question" mean?

The phrase "did not question" means someone didn't express doubt, make an inquiry, or challenge something. It indicates acceptance or lack of scrutiny.

How can I rephrase "did not question" in a sentence?

You can replace "did not question" with phrases like "did not doubt", "did not challenge", or "accepted without reservation" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "did not question"?

While grammatically correct, using "did not question" might be inappropriate if it implies endorsement or agreement in a situation where skepticism is warranted. Choose your words carefully to avoid misinterpretation.

What's the difference between "did not question" and "could not question"?

"Did not question" implies a choice not to ask, while "could not question" suggests an inability or lack of opportunity to do so. The former indicates acceptance or disinterest, while the latter suggests constraint.