lines in question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lines in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to specific lines or passages that are being discussed or examined in a particular context. Example: "The lines in question from the poem highlight the author's emotional struggle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The lines in question should read, "am I to be locked in this / final uneasiness," not "and I to be locked".

The New York Times

Nor is it likely to bring fundamental reforms: the lines in question, though operated since 1995 by private consortia, were owned and almost fully financed by government subsidy.

The Economist

It was indeed true that because they weren't happy with the lines in question; they had asked the authors of the hymn for permission to use a different version, which had been published elsewhere, and this was declined.

The Economist

If the two lines in question are placed in the stereoscope, it is found that some letters appear to float in space, a stereoscopic impression created by the minute differences in size, shape, and relative position of the letters in the two lines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Additional staff were also provided for "the lines in question", it added.

TechCrunch

The original source of the lines in question shouldn't come as a shock at this point.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

However, Rout admits that the 30 lines in questions were, indeed, plagiarized.

TechCrunch

The maximum speed on the line in question is 70mph.

The Guardian

The line in question runs under the Mediterranean, from Palermo in Italy to Alexandria in Egypt.

The Guardian - Tech

Party officials said the line in question was "cut and pasted".

The New York Times

(You can hear the "fanute" line in question at 3 35 of the video).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lines in question", ensure the context clearly identifies which specific lines you are referring to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "lines in question" repeatedly in close proximity without clarifying which lines are being discussed each time. Provide specific references or paraphrases to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines in question" functions as a determiner phrase identifying specific lines of text that are under discussion or scrutiny. It often appears in analytical or critical contexts, signaling a focus on particular segments. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lines in question" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to refer to specific lines of text that are being discussed or analyzed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes it clear which specific lines are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "passages under consideration" or "relevant excerpts" can be used to add nuance or variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aforementioned lines

Replaces "in question" with "aforementioned" to refer to lines previously mentioned in the text.

passages under consideration

Replaces "lines" with "passages" and "question" with a broader term, focusing on the act of considering the passages.

the sections being analyzed

Replaces the more specific "lines" with "sections" and specifies that those sections are "being analyzed".

specific segments at issue

Uses "specific segments" to denote particular sections and "at issue" to highlight the point of contention or discussion.

relevant excerpts

Substitutes "lines" with "excerpts", implying selected portions, and "question" with "relevant", emphasizing importance.

pertinent segments

Uses "segments" instead of "lines", and "pertinent" instead of "in question", stressing the segments' relevance.

particular phrases in dispute

Emphasizes that these are phrases rather than lines and that they are under dispute or disagreement.

cited verses

Specifically refers to lines of poetry or song, replacing "in question" with "cited", indicating direct reference.

textual references under scrutiny

Highlights the "textual" nature and the "scrutiny" to which the references are subjected.

the cited material

Broadens the scope from "lines" to "material" indicating cited elements, and omitting "in question".

FAQs

How can I use "lines in question" in a sentence?

Use "lines in question" to refer to specific lines of text that are being discussed, analyzed, or debated. For example, "The meaning of the "lines in question" remains open to interpretation".

What are some alternatives to "lines in question"?

You can use alternatives like "passages under consideration", "relevant excerpts", or "pertinent segments" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "the line in question" or "the lines in question"?

Use "the line in question" when referring to a single line and "the lines in question" when referring to multiple lines. The choice depends on the number of lines you are discussing.

What does "in question" mean in the phrase "lines in question"?

In this context, "in question" means under consideration, discussion, or doubt. It indicates that these are the specific lines being examined or debated.