may raise questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "may raise questions" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something could lead to doubt or debate. For example: His sudden change in behavior may raise questions about his motivations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Externally people may raise questions.

The New York Times

The plan needs permits from the State Department of Environmental Conservation, which may raise questions.

The New York Times

As with many politicians, Mr. Darling's other ambitions may raise questions about intentions.

The New York Times

"The Reason I Jump" may raise questions, as many books have, about the nature of autism.

The New York Times - Books

If "Worst Week" is the season's big hit, it may raise questions at NBC, where it was developed.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, the changes announced Thursday may raise questions about whether quality problems are more widespread in India.

The New York Times

For Mr. Thain to have such a stake in a Merrill rival may raise questions of a conflict of interest.

The New York Times

The injury to Barbaro could have happened at any time, but it may raise questions about the Triple Crown.

The Guardian - Sport

The chronology of the latest suspected victim's illness may raise questions about whether officials disclosed the case quickly enough.

The New York Times

His handling of the Tube dispute may raise questions about quite how different he really is from the presently despised political class.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, Bergen County prosecutor Gurbir Grewal was recently re-appointed by Christie himself and the case may raise questions of conflict of interest.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may raise questions" to introduce a point that might cause uncertainty or disagreement, signaling a need for further explanation or consideration.

Common error

Avoid overuse. While useful, the phrase can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "might spark concerns" or "could lead to debate" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may raise questions" functions as a hedging device, softening the assertion that something will definitely cause problems or doubts. It introduces a possibility, rather than a certainty, aligning with Ludwig's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may raise questions" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to introduce potential doubts or concerns. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is predominantly found in news media and scientific contexts. While it signals a possibility rather than a certainty, careful writers will benefit by occasional strategic substitutions with alternatives such as "could prompt inquiries" or "might spark concerns" to avoid repetition. Employ "may raise questions" to effectively signal possible issues to the reader without making absolute claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could prompt inquiries

Replaces "raise questions" with "prompt inquiries", focusing on initiating formal questioning.

might generate doubts

Substitutes "raise questions" with "generate doubts", highlighting the creation of uncertainty.

could lead to debate

Emphasizes the potential for discussion or disagreement.

might spark concerns

Focuses on initiating feelings of worry or apprehension.

may cause scrutiny

Highlights the potential for close examination and critical assessment.

could invite speculation

Suggests the possibility of conjecture or guesswork.

might beget challenges

Implies that questions are related to problems that need to be solved.

may give rise to objections

Highlights the potential for formal opposition or disapproval.

could foster controversy

Suggests the possibility of a public dispute or disagreement.

might occasion inquiries

Focuses on bringing about formal questions.

FAQs

How can I use "may raise questions" in a sentence?

Use "may raise questions" to indicate that something could lead to doubt or debate. For example: His sudden change in behavior may raise questions about his motivations.

What are some alternatives to "may raise questions"?

You can use alternatives like "could prompt inquiries", "might generate doubts", or "could lead to debate" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "may raise questions" or "might raise questions"?

Both "may raise questions" and "might raise questions" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "May" suggests a slightly higher probability or possibility compared to "might" but the difference is often negligible.

What's the difference between "may raise questions" and "will raise questions"?

"May raise questions" indicates a possibility, whereas "will raise questions" suggests a higher degree of certainty. Use "will" when the issue is almost certain to cause debate or inquiry.