had been question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been question" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "had been questioned"? If this is the case, you can use it when referring to someone who has undergone questioning in the past, typically in a legal or investigative context. Example: "The suspect had been questioned by the police for several hours before being released."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There had been question marks about her continued involvement in the tournament after limping her way to victory in her first match following a nasty fall while serving.

Independent

There had been question marks about centre Jonathan Davies' availability after he missed Clermont Auvergne's last match as a result of a tight hamstring but Wales' medical team have declared him fit.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His famous eye had been questioned.

The New Yorker

Her inevitability had been questioned...

The Washington Post

His professional honor had been questioned.

The New York Times

There had been questions about Mr. Barbour's health.

The New York Times

Her status as an authorised prosecutor had been questioned.

BBC

Sixteen Israelis had been questioned.

Huffington Post

By 1992, 4,000 people had been questioned.

Vice

His integrity has been questioned.

The New York Times - Sports

More often, there have been questions.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure that the phrase includes a correctly formed verb phrase such as "had been questioned" or "had been asked". Pay attention to the intended meaning, whether it involves doubting, interrogating, or simply inquiring.

Common error

Avoid using "had been question" as it is grammatically incorrect. Remember to use the past participle form of the verb, such as "questioned", to ensure proper sentence construction and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been question" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't serve a clear grammatical function. The intended meaning often requires correction to "had been questioned", indicating a past action of questioning. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase itself is not valid.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been question" is grammatically incorrect and should not be used. The correct form is "had been questioned", which indicates that someone or something was subjected to questioning in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, this error needs correction for effective communication. Alternatives include "there had been a question" or rephrasing the sentence to express the intended meaning clearly. Always ensure proper verb forms to avoid grammatical errors and maintain clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been questioned

This corrects the grammar by using the past participle of the verb "question", indicating someone or something was interrogated or doubted.

there had been a question

This rephrases to indicate the existence of a question, changing the focus from the action to the presence of an inquiry.

questions had arisen

This alternative emphasizes that questions emerged or came up, shifting the perspective to the occurrence of questions.

there had been doubts

This conveys uncertainty or skepticism, replacing "question" with a term that suggests a lack of confidence or belief.

concerns had been raised

This focuses on expressing worries or concerns, changing the nature of the inquiry to issues that require attention.

an inquiry had been made

This suggests a formal investigation or examination, replacing a general question with a specific act of seeking information.

the matter had been investigated

This focuses on a more in-depth investigation, changing the simple questioning to a detailed examination of the issue.

the issue had been examined

This emphasizes the evaluation or scrutiny of a particular issue, shifting from asking a question to assessing a problem.

the topic had been discussed

This indicates a conversation or deliberation about a subject, moving away from direct questioning to a broader discussion.

the validity had been challenged

This alternative suggests that the accuracy or legitimacy of something was contested, focusing on a dispute rather than a question.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "had been question" in a sentence?

The phrase "had been question" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "had been questioned", which you can use to indicate that someone or something was interrogated or doubted. For example, "The suspect "had been questioned" by the police".

What are some alternatives to the incorrect phrase "had been question"?

Instead of "had been question", you can use phrases like ""had been questioned"", "there had been a question", or "questions had arisen", depending on the intended meaning.

How do I avoid errors when using phrases related to questioning or doubt?

To avoid errors, always ensure the verb form is correct. Instead of saying "had been question", use ""had been questioned"" or rephrase the sentence to use alternatives like "doubts had been raised".

What's the difference between "had been question" and "had been questioned"?

"Had been question" is grammatically incorrect. "Had been questioned" is the correct form, indicating that someone or something was subjected to questioning in the past. For example, "The witness "had been questioned" about the incident".