it makes me ask

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it makes me ask" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something prompts you to inquire or seek clarification about a particular topic or situation. Example: "The unexpected results of the experiment make me ask whether our initial hypothesis was flawed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It makes me ask myself: Was it a deliberately contentious statement??

The Guardian

My hesitation induces guilt; it makes me ask myself if I am harming my patients by not acting as fast or aggressively as some of my colleagues would.

The New York Times

But as someone with a huge platform to reach people it makes me ask, how can I stand by and just watch that happen?

The Guardian - Opinion

It makes me ask myself where's the justice in this situation?

Huffington Post

With over 6,000 of our young men and women and hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan and Iraq dead, it makes me ask, "What's war good for?" They tell me Bryan died for my freedom.

Huffington Post

"I get the whole spam issue they're trying to avoid, but I think it makes me ask, if Facebook and other sites can sell my personal information, why can't I?" Of course, Schmidt isn't the first person to sell his brand identity on the open market.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It made me ask what that other person was thinking.

Independent

"It made me ask myself: 'What are they like?

The New York Times

It made me ask myself, is this the sport I really want to go into?" Martin, 24, decided to get into the sport and stuck with it.

The New York Times - Sports

It made me ask whether "Cleopatra" would have been shown in Pakistan at all, and if so, in how censored a form?

The New York Times - Books

It made me ask the question of myself: What gives us the reason to get up and live?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it makes me ask" when you want to convey a sense of genuine curiosity or reflection in response to a specific event or statement. It's particularly effective when you want to engage the reader by sharing your thought process.

Common error

While acceptable, "it makes me ask" can sound slightly informal. In academic or professional writing, consider alternatives like "it prompts the question" or "this raises concerns about" to maintain a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it makes me ask" functions as an idiomatic expression introducing a question that arises from a previous statement or situation. It serves to transition into a query prompted by the preceding context, as validated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it makes me ask" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to introduce a question prompted by a preceding statement or situation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, possessing a neutral register. While effective for conveying curiosity or uncertainty, writers should consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional settings. Despite being somewhat informal, its widespread usage confirms its acceptability in various communicative settings, as validated by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it makes me question

Shortens the phrase, removing "ask" while maintaining the core meaning of prompting inquiry.

it prompts me to question

Replaces "makes me ask" with "prompts me to question", maintaining the sense of something causing inquiry.

it leads me to wonder

Shifts the focus slightly from asking to wondering, suggesting a more contemplative response.

it causes me to inquire

Uses more formal language than the original phrase, replacing "makes me ask" with "causes me to inquire".

it begs the question

A more idiomatic expression that directly implies a question is raised.

it raises a question in my mind

More explicitly states that a question arises internally.

it instigates my curiosity

Focuses on sparking curiosity rather than directly prompting a question.

it provokes my thoughts

Emphasizes the stimulation of thought, implying a question is likely to follow.

it stirs my thinking

Suggests an awakening of thought processes, which leads to questioning.

it generates the query

A more formal alternative, indicating that something produces a question or inquiry.

FAQs

What does "it makes me ask" mean?

The phrase "it makes me ask" indicates that something has prompted you to wonder or inquire about something. It implies that an event, statement, or situation has caused you to formulate a question in your mind.

How can I use "it makes me ask" in a sentence?

You can use "it makes me ask" to express a question that arises from a particular situation. For example, "The company's sudden change in strategy "it makes me ask" if they are facing financial difficulties."

What are some alternatives to "it makes me ask"?

Alternatives to "it makes me ask" include phrases such as "it prompts me to question", "it leads me to wonder", or "it causes me to inquire", depending on the desired level of formality and nuance.

Is "it makes me ask" formal or informal?

The phrase "it makes me ask" leans towards being somewhat informal. While it is grammatically correct and widely understood, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives that convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality, such as "it prompts the question".