documentary in question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "documentary in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific documentary that has been previously mentioned or is currently being discussed. Example: "The documentary in question provides a deep insight into climate change and its effects on the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The documentary in question is about Robert S. McNamara, secretary of defense during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.

The New York Times - Arts

But that history — and I haven't seen the documentary in question — is only the beginning of what is troubling about the Takeaway segment.

The New Yorker

The documentary in question is very interesting, produced by CCTV, which is the main TV channel in China.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The documentary in question--actually, a mockumentary profiles famous fictional cubs fan Colleen Henneman, whose first drunken interview with WBEZ's Justin Kaufmann went viral on opening day.

Huffington Post

"Because the ethics of documentaries are always in question, this film is great because it shows that footage can be used in different ways.

BBC

Yet along with Annie Leibovitz, David Bailey and David Puttnam, the creative directors of those magazines appear in a documentary that exalts the photographer in question, Guy Bourdin, as one of the most daring visual artists of the 20th century.

The Guardian - Arts

He was replaced by Richard S. Salant, who was known for his cost-consciousness, which put the future of the documentary and the CBS Reports series in question.

Wikipedia

State media claimed the visitors had been watching "banned terrorist videos" but they insisted the film in question was a documentary about Genghis Khan.

Independent

Fischer, is, of course, dead (he died in 2008), but many who knew him are still around to tell the story, and I figured that the film in question was a documentary.

The New Yorker

I introduced myself to Ebru, the kitten in question, as a documentary producer interested in the group's approach to feminism and Islam.

Vice

He was dismissed after a television documentary in January raised additional questions about the surgeon and his work.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "documentary in question", ensure it's clear from the context which documentary you are referring to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Refer to "the Robert S. McNamara documentary in question" rather than just "the documentary in question".

Common error

Avoid using "documentary in question" without establishing context. If no documentary has been mentioned previously, clarify which documentary you are referring to. For example, instead of saying "The "documentary in question" lacks detail", specify "The recent BBC documentary on climate change lacks detail."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "documentary in question" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a determiner and noun modifying another noun. It identifies a particular documentary that has been previously mentioned or is being discussed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "documentary in question" serves as a specific noun phrase, indicating a particular documentary that's already been established in a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, most of its usage occurs in news and media contexts, underlining its role in providing clarity. While grammatically sound, its frequency is rare, emphasizing the need to ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity when using it. Related alternatives include "aforementioned documentary" or "documentary under consideration", offering variations while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned documentary

Replaces "in question" with "aforementioned", indicating a previously mentioned documentary.

the documentary under consideration

Substitutes "in question" with "under consideration", implying the documentary is being evaluated.

the subject documentary

Uses "subject" to specify the documentary as the topic of discussion.

the relevant documentary

Replaces "in question" with "relevant", indicating the documentary's pertinence to the current context.

the documentary we're discussing

Explicitly states the documentary is currently being talked about.

the documentary at hand

Uses "at hand" to indicate the documentary that is currently being dealt with.

the documentary in focus

Replaces "in question" with "in focus", suggesting the documentary is the center of attention.

the specified documentary

Emphasizes that the documentary has been specifically identified.

the documentary being reviewed

Indicates the documentary is undergoing a review process.

the documentary of interest

Highlights that the documentary is notable or engaging in a particular way.

FAQs

How can I use "documentary in question" in a sentence?

Use "documentary in question" to refer back to a specific documentary that has already been mentioned or is the main topic of conversation. For example, "The "<a href="/s/director"s+cut" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">director's cut" of the "documentary in question" offers a deeper insight into the subject matter."

What can I say instead of "documentary in question"?

You can use alternatives like "aforementioned documentary", "documentary under consideration", or "relevant documentary" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "documentary in question" in formal writing?

Yes, "documentary in question" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when referring back to a previously mentioned documentary. However, ensure that the context is clear and the reference is unambiguous.

What is the difference between "documentary in question" and "documentary at hand"?

"Documentary in question" typically refers to a documentary that has been previously mentioned and is now being discussed. "Documentary at hand" implies the documentary is currently being analyzed or dealt with directly.