put into question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put into question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations where you are questioning or challenging a current belief or known fact. For example, "Recent evidence has put into question the theory of human evolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not once was any of these cases put into question".

The Guardian

Thank you for your honesty, Ms. Brown, but you just put into question your entire "opinion".

The New York Times

"It wasn't just some legal advance — it put into question big issues".

The New Yorker

"The economic crisis has put into question many of our beliefs.

The New York Times

They certainly put into question the thinking behind Customs and Border Protection's decision.

The New York Times - Arts

"Such statements put into question the objectivity of the U.N.," he said.

The New York Times

"With critical theory, the single hero Fountainhead leading the charge was really put into question," Ms. Andraos of Work said.

The New York Times - Arts

As one veteran arbitrator has written, "In an investment dispute, the very legitimacy of the tax is put into question".

Independent

It was as though the familiar concepts of shape and drape, tailoring and dresses, had been put into question.

The New York Times

"It's the European Union being put into question, not merely a country within the European Union," he said.

The Guardian

The new prices put into question whether one really wants to be bombarded with all that food.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put into question", ensure that the subject of the questioning is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what aspect or element is being challenged or doubted.

Common error

Avoid using "put into question" in overly passive constructions, as it can make the sentence vague and less impactful. Instead, consider rephrasing to emphasize the actor doing the questioning: "The evidence put the initial findings into question", can become "The evidence questioned the initial findings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put into question" functions as a verb phrase, primarily used to indicate that something is being doubted or challenged. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct way to express uncertainty. Examples show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put into question" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that expresses doubt or challenges existing assumptions. As verified by Ludwig, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While alternatives like "call into question" or "cast doubt on" exist, "put into question" remains a reliable option. The key is to ensure clarity by specifying what is being questioned to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call into question

This alternative directly replaces "put into" with "call into", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity and interchangeability.

cast doubt on

This alternative shifts from questioning to casting doubt, which implies a slightly stronger expression of uncertainty.

raise doubts about

This option also focuses on creating doubt, similar to "cast doubt", but with a slightly different emphasis.

challenge the validity of

This phrase is more formal and directly addresses the act of questioning something's correctness or legitimacy.

dispute the accuracy of

This alternative specifically targets the accuracy of something, implying a factual disagreement.

undermine the credibility of

This suggests weakening someone's or something's believability, a stronger implication than simply questioning.

throw suspicion on

This phrase implies a degree of skepticism and mistrust, adding an emotional component.

render uncertain

This is a more formal way of saying something is made doubtful or questionable.

bring into disrepute

This alternative indicates a negative impact on reputation, going beyond mere questioning.

subject to scrutiny

This phrase focuses on a detailed and critical examination, rather than expressing doubt directly.

FAQs

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

You can use "put into question" when you want to express that something is being doubted or challenged. For example, "The new data "put into question" the previous assumptions about climate change".

What is a good alternative to "put into question"?

Alternatives to "put into question" include phrases like "call into question", "cast doubt on", or "raise doubts about". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "put into question" or "called into question"?

Both "put into question" and "call into question" are grammatically correct and widely used. "Call into question" might be slightly more common, but the difference is minimal, and either option is suitable.

What does it mean to "put into question" something?

To "put into question" something means to express doubts or uncertainties about its validity, accuracy, or reliability. It suggests that the subject is no longer accepted without scrutiny and requires further examination.