make question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make question" is not correct in standard written English.
You can use it when attempting to instruct someone to formulate a question, but it should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "Please make a question about the topic we discussed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If the tacky "How much do you make?" question came up, the pear tree could document its net worth at $1,192, and say that some of its earnings come from the 527.67 grams of pollutants it saves from human lungs every year, a value to society that economists put at $2.59.

The New York Times

Sub-forums exist for everything from gardening and pet care to politics and spot-popping, and debates on the AIBU (Am I Being Unreasonable) forum make Question Time look like child's play.

Vice

Adjustments: To make question 6 appear less self promoting, ' accomplished' was changed into ' done' (yet left unchanged in question 5 due to insufficient data), and ' most proud of' was changed into 'most happy with'.

BMC Palliative Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Where necessary to make questions psychiatric specific, we replaced the word "medical" with "psychiatric".

BMC Psychiatry

Don't make questions conclusive.

WikiHow

Look for clues that can make questions easier.

WikiHow

Make questions only you know the answer to.

WikiHow

Don't make questions too predictable; try to be subtle.

WikiHow

Understanding this should help to make questions easier to answer––this is your chance to shine!

WikiHow

Thongs can help make panty lines disappear, but can also make questions arise of why there is no panty line.

WikiHow

Tinopolis subsidiary Mentorn, which makes Question Time, has had success selling formats into the US.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "make question", opt for more standard alternatives like "ask a question", "formulate a question", or "pose a question" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make" as a direct substitute for verbs like "ask", "formulate", or "pose" when referring to questions. While "make" can imply creation, it doesn't fit the conventional usage for inquiries. Instead, focus on using the specific verb that accurately conveys your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make question" primarily functions as a verb + noun combination, aiming to express the act of creating or formulating a question. However, Ludwig AI indicates this is grammatically incorrect. Standard alternatives are "ask a question", "pose a question", or "formulate a question".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make question" might appear intuitively understandable, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's better to opt for alternatives like ""ask a question"", ""formulate a question"", or ""pose a question"" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The phrase appears infrequently and primarily in informal contexts, with authoritative sources generally favoring more conventional expressions. Always prioritize established grammatical norms for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask a question

Replaces "make" with the more conventional verb "ask", making the phrase grammatically correct and commonly used.

formulate a question

Substitutes "make" with "formulate", suggesting a more deliberate and structured creation of the question.

pose a question

Uses "pose" instead of "make", indicating the act of presenting a question for consideration or discussion.

raise a question

Employs "raise" to signify bringing up a question, often in the context of introducing a topic or concern.

frame a question

Replaces "make" with "frame", emphasizing the careful construction and wording of the question.

construct a question

Uses "construct" to highlight the building or creation of a question, often implying complexity or precision.

develop a question

Substitutes "make" with "develop", suggesting an evolution or refinement of the question over time.

put a question

Replaces "make" with "put", providing a more colloquial and straightforward way to express asking a question.

table a question

This option is used in formal settings, where "table" is a verb that means bring up a question for debate.

address a question

This option focus on tackling an already existing or known question.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "make question" in a sentence?

While "make question" is not considered standard English, you can use alternatives like "ask a question", "formulate a question", or "pose a question" to convey the intended meaning clearly and correctly.

What are some common alternatives to "make question"?

Instead of "make question", you can use phrases such as "ask a question", "raise a question", or "frame a question", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is grammatically correct: "make question" or "ask a question"?

"Ask a question" is the grammatically correct and widely accepted phrase. "Make question" is not standard English and should be avoided in formal writing.

What's the difference between "make question" and "formulate a question"?

"Make question" is not a standard English phrase and may sound awkward or incorrect. "Formulate a question" implies a more deliberate and structured approach to creating a question, suggesting careful thought and planning.