it was questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was questioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been doubted or challenged, typically in a formal or academic context. Example: "The validity of the research findings was questioned by several experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

That attribution was removed after it was questioned and no definitive credit could be determined.

The New York Times

But it was questioned by China's foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin.

The Guardian

Before victory over Columbus it was questioned how he was going to do it again this year.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally, in 1999, the Olympic committee and other federations dropped the chromosome testing, reserving the right to test an athlete's sex if it was questioned.

The New York Times - Sports

But Bristol CCG is now in the process of striking out the rule, after it was questioned during the recent tender to supply children's community services.

Independent

It was questioned by cycling groups and it turned out Johnson was repeating some hearsay he'd been told at a public meeting.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's question time.

The New York Times

"It's question after question after question".

The New York Times

It's question of health full stop.

Vice

It is question and answer both.

Huffington Post

Yet it is being questioned.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was questioned", ensure that the context clearly indicates who raised the question or expressed the doubt. Providing specific sources or actors strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was questioned" without specifying who did the questioning. Vague attribution weakens the statement and can make it seem less credible. Always aim to provide context or sources to support the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was questioned" primarily functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject has been subjected to scrutiny or doubt. Ludwig AI shows examples where this phrase introduces challenges to claims, methods, or decisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

34%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was questioned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates doubt or scrutiny. Ludwig AI confirms its broad application across various domains, including news, science, and general knowledge. While it maintains a neutral to formal tone, careful attention should be paid to clearly attributing the source of the questioning to enhance credibility and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "it was challenged" or "it was doubted" can be considered depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was challenged

Replaces "questioned" with a stronger term implying a more direct confrontation or dispute.

it was doubted

Focuses on the feeling of uncertainty or disbelief regarding the subject.

it was called into question

Indicates that the truth or validity of something was challenged.

its validity was examined

Emphasizes a formal investigation into the truth or accuracy of something.

concerns were raised about it

Highlights the expression of worry or unease regarding the matter.

it faced scrutiny

Indicates a thorough and critical examination of something.

doubts were expressed about it

Highlights the expression of uncertainty or disbelief regarding the matter.

it was subject to debate

Focuses on the fact that the subject was discussed and argued about.

it was under investigation

Emphasizes that the subject was being formally examined to discover and examine the facts.

the subject was debated

Indicates discussion involving opposing points of view.

FAQs

How can I use "it was questioned" in a sentence?

Use "it was questioned" to indicate that someone expressed doubt or challenged the validity of something. For example, "The accuracy of the data "it was questioned" by independent researchers".

What can I say instead of "it was questioned"?

You can use alternatives like "it was challenged", "it was doubted", or "it was called into question" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying something was questioned?

While "it was questioned" uses passive voice, you can use active voice to specify who did the questioning. For example, instead of "it was questioned", you could say "researchers questioned it".

What's the difference between "it was questioned" and "it was investigated"?

"It was questioned" suggests doubt or uncertainty, while "it was investigated" implies a formal inquiry or examination to determine the facts.