out of question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that an action or thought is improbable, unacceptable, or too outlandish for consideration. For example, "Travelling to the moon is out of question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

And this is out of question.

The New York Times

But they say delays are out of question.

The New York Times

It's out of question that he'll leave the club at the moment".

The Guardian - Sport

If books were still set by hand, would the printer of "War Dances" have run out of question marks?

The New Yorker

Economists familiar with policy makers' thinking say that splashing out on big infrastructure projects in the way China did during the global financial crisis is out of question.

The New York Times

Mr. Assefi said that the Europeans had not asked for a permanent suspension of enrichment, but that if they did, it would be out of question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Duplicate questions and out-of-scope questions were removed.

BMJ Open

"Mao" was out of the question, though.

The New York Times

She never runs out of questions.

The New York Times

"I'm out of questions".

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, they ran out of questions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of question" to firmly dismiss an idea or possibility, leaving no room for doubt or negotiation.

Common error

Avoid using "out of question" when you simply mean something is unlikely. This phrase implies complete impossibility or unacceptability, not just low probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of question" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express that something is impossible or completely unacceptable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability, highlighting its role in conveying a firm denial or impossibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of question" is a common expression used to indicate that something is entirely impossible or unacceptable. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in written English. As evidenced by various examples from news, science, and business contexts, this phrase serves to dismiss ideas or possibilities emphatically. While "out of question" is generally appropriate for neutral to formal settings, it's important to reserve its use for situations where there's truly no room for negotiation. Alternatives such as "impossible" or "unthinkable" can be used depending on the context. Remember, using the phrase incorrectly can diminish the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible

Directly states that something cannot occur or be done.

ruled out

Indicates that something has been officially rejected or excluded.

not a possibility

Clearly indicates that something is not an option.

not an option

States that something is not a viable choice or alternative.

unthinkable

Emphasizes the impossibility of something being considered or happening.

unacceptable

Indicates that something is not permissible or agreeable.

inconceivable

Highlights the inability to imagine or believe something.

absolutely not

Similar to 'definitely not', but with even greater emphasis.

definitely not

Expresses a strong negative response, ruling something out.

beyond consideration

Suggests that something is not worth thinking about or discussing.

FAQs

How can I use "out of question" in a sentence?

You can use "out of question" to indicate that something is impossible or completely unacceptable. For example, "A pay raise is "out of question" this year due to budget cuts."

What phrases are similar to "out of question"?

Alternatives to "out of question" include "impossible", "unthinkable", or "not a possibility", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "out of the question" or "out of question"?

"Out of the question" is the more common and grammatically standard form. However, "out of question" is also used and understood, especially in informal contexts.

When should I use "out of question" instead of "unlikely"?

Use "out of question" when something is entirely impossible or unacceptable. If something is just improbable but still theoretically possible, "unlikely" is more appropriate.