his question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a question that belongs to or is posed by a male individual. Example: "I found his question to be quite insightful during the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Goode pressed his question.

The New Yorker

No one answered his question.

The New York Times

That's his question, right?

Yale University

His question is: Why did they die?

The New Yorker

She ignored his question.

The New Yorker

His question: Is this any good?

The New York Times

Mr. Levin keeps repeating his question.

The New York Times

It wasn't his question, actually.

The Washington Post

She didn't answer his question.

The Guardian

His question, however, went unanswered.

The New York Times - Style

His question was not allowed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "his question", ensure the context clearly establishes who "he" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "his question" when the gender of the person asking the question is unknown or unspecified. In such cases, use "their question" or rephrase the sentence to avoid the pronoun altogether.

Linguistic Context

His question functions as a noun phrase, where 'his' acts as a possessive determiner modifying the noun 'question'. It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, referring to a query made by a male individual. Ludwig's examples confirm its prevalent use in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "his question" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to refer to a question posed by a male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase, and its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academia. While generally neutral in tone, the surrounding language can influence the overall formality. When using "his question", ensure clarity in pronoun reference and consider alternatives like "the question he posed" for a more formal tone. The phrase is very common and poses minimal risk of misinterpretation when properly contextualized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the question he posed

Replaces the possessive pronoun with a more formal verb, emphasizing the act of asking.

the inquiry he made

Substitutes "question" with "inquiry", adding a slightly more formal tone.

the query he submitted

Uses "query" instead of "question", suggesting a more structured or formal questioning.

the point he raised

Emphasizes the significance or relevance of the question within a discussion.

the issue he brought up

Highlights the topic or subject matter introduced by the question.

the matter he inquired about

Replaces "question" with a more detailed description of the subject of the inquiry.

what he was asking

Focuses on the act of questioning rather than the specific question itself.

his line of questioning

Refers to a series of related questions, rather than a single question.

the problem he presented

Suggests that the question highlights a specific problem or challenge.

the concern he voiced

Implies that the question expresses a worry or apprehension.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "his question" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "his question" with phrases like "the question he posed", "the inquiry he made", or "the query he submitted".

What's a less common alternative to "his question"?

A less common but still valid alternative to "his question" could be "the point he raised" if the question is about a specific point or issue, or the concern he voiced if expressing worry. These options may imply a slightly different nuance.

Is it ever incorrect to use "his question"?

It would be incorrect to use "his question" if the person asking the question is not male. In such cases, use "her question", "their question", or rephrase to avoid the pronoun. Be sure your meaning is clear by ensuring that "his" has a clear reference.

What can I say instead of "his question" to emphasize the topic being asked about?

To emphasize the topic, try phrases like "the issue he brought up" or "the matter he inquired about". These alternatives shift the focus from the act of questioning to the subject being discussed.