put a question

USAGE SUMMARY

'put a question' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest or ask someone to ask a question. For example, you could say, "Let's put a question to the speaker about their opinion on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Put a question mark," he said.

The New York Times

I want to put a question first.

Yale University

"You (reporter) are nobody to put a question like that.

Independent

We have to put a question mark on it".

The New York Times - Sports

Last November he put a question on Facebook.

The Guardian

Baroness Miller put a question about food banks.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are bound to acknowledge the "wide" but should put a question mark over the "easy".

The New Yorker

The Falluja mutiny has put a question mark over the army.

The Guardian

The list included "speculation," but the Realtors put a question mark next to that reason.

The New York Times

You are nobody and I am nobody to put a question mark in front of him.

The Guardian - Sport

The Greens leader Richard Di Natale put a question mark over the alliance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put a question" when you want to suggest the act of formally or deliberately asking something, often in a setting where questions are expected or encouraged.

Common error

Avoid using "put a question" when you're actually making a statement in the form of a question. The phrase implies a genuine inquiry seeking an answer, not a rhetorical device.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put a question" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of posing or presenting a question. This usage is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness. It is commonly found across various contexts, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put a question" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to describe the act of asking a question. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent in contexts like news reporting, scientific discussions, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "ask a question" and "raise a question" exist, "put a question" often implies a more deliberate or formal inquiry. Avoiding its use in rhetorical contexts will ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ask a question

Uses the more common and direct verb "ask" instead of "put".

pose a question

Replaces "put" with "pose", which is a more formal synonym.

raise a question

Substitutes "put" with "raise", highlighting the act of bringing up a question.

present a question

Focuses on the act of offering a question for consideration.

table a question

Emphasizes formally introducing a question for discussion.

query

Uses a single verb to encompass the entire action of putting a question.

submit a question

Implies formally offering a question, often in a structured setting.

inquire

A more formal and polite way of asking a question.

advance a question

Suggests moving forward by posing a question.

formulate a question

Focuses on the careful construction of a question.

FAQs

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

You can use "put a question" when you want to suggest the act of formally or deliberately asking something. For example: "The lawyer will "pose a question" to the witness during the trial".

What are some alternatives to "put a question"?

Alternatives to "put a question" include phrases like "ask a question", "raise a question", or ""pose a question"", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it more formal to "put a question" or to "ask a question"?

"Put a question" can sound slightly more formal than "ask a question", but the difference is subtle. Both are acceptable in most contexts. However, phrases like "inquire" or "query" are more formal.

When should I use "put a question" instead of simply "ask"?

Use "put a question" when you want to emphasize the action of presenting or introducing a question, often in a formal setting or when you want to highlight the deliberate nature of the inquiry. Otherwise, "ask" is a more straightforward and commonly used option.