has been questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been questioned' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been the subject of inquiry or criticism. Example: The practice of punishing students for minor misbehavior has been questioned by many in the education community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His integrity has been questioned.

The New York Times - Sports

Now its very survival has been questioned.

The Economist

But that action, too, has been questioned.

The New York Times

Even the canal project has been questioned.

The New York Times

Mr Proctor has been questioned twice.

Independent

INDIANAPOLIS — His arm strength has been questioned.

The New York Times - Sports

At times its performance has been questioned.

The Economist

His decision has been questioned.

The New York Times - Sports

Proctor has been questioned twice.

The Guardian

Dr. Séralini's work has been questioned before.

The New York Times

Now even that idea has been questioned.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been questioned", ensure the context clearly indicates who is questioning it and the basis for their doubts. Providing specific details strengthens the statement.

Common error

While "has been questioned" is grammatically sound, overuse of the passive voice can make writing seem vague. Consider rephrasing to identify the actor: "Critics have questioned the policy" is more direct than "The policy has been questioned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been questioned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject's validity, integrity, or accuracy has been subjected to scrutiny. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, indicating that something is under doubt or investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been questioned" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something is under scrutiny or doubt. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility allows it to appear across various contexts, from academic papers to news reports. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's advisable to consider using the active voice for more direct and impactful writing. When incorporating "has been questioned", clarifying who is doing the questioning and their basis enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been called into question

Replaces "questioned" with "called into question", highlighting that someone has formally raised doubts.

is disputed

A simpler, more direct way of saying that something is not agreed upon or accepted.

has come under scrutiny

Changes the verb from "questioned" to "scrutiny", emphasizing a more detailed and critical examination.

faces skepticism

Highlights the presence of doubt and disbelief regarding the subject.

has raised doubts

Shifts the focus to the doubts themselves being raised, rather than the act of questioning.

is not without controversy

Points out that there are conflicting opinions and arguments surrounding the issue.

is subject to debate

Emphasizes ongoing discussion and disagreement surrounding the topic.

is a matter of contention

Suggests that the issue is a point of strong disagreement and dispute.

is under investigation

Suggests a more formal inquiry is taking place, often implying potential wrongdoing.

is open to interpretation

Indicates that the meaning or validity of something is not fixed and can be understood in different ways.

FAQs

How can I use "has been questioned" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been questioned" is used to indicate that something's validity, accuracy, or reliability is under doubt or scrutiny. For example, "The study's methodology "has been questioned" by several experts".

What's the difference between "has been questioned" and "has been refuted"?

"Has been questioned" implies doubt or scrutiny, while "has been refuted" indicates that something has been proven false or incorrect. Refutation is a stronger statement than merely questioning.

What can I say instead of "has been questioned"?

You can use alternatives like "has come under scrutiny", "has been called into question", or "faces skepticism" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "has been questioned"?

While "has been questioned" is passive, using the active voice can often create a stronger and more direct statement. For instance, instead of "The decision "has been questioned"", you could say "Critics questioned the decision".