put under question

USAGE SUMMARY

"put under question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is being questioned or doubted. For example, "John's loyalty to the company was put under question after his suspicious activity was discovered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We are seeing clear evidence of parts of the world being cut off from the mainstream banking system because of the concerns of the banks of the consequences of the actions that will be taken if they are put under question," said Bailey, who is also a deputy governor of the Bank of England.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They have been elected by people's votes but now that they want to put democracy under question, they argue that legislation and legitimacy should come from somewhere else - and that somewhere else is the 12th imam".

The Guardian

Almost immediately, though, the Bright-Pollard alliance has been put under strain over the question of whether Michal Kaminski is an apologist for antisemitism.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has not been put under any pressure with the questions, and nor does he look like a man under much pressure.

The Guardian

The third was put under house arrest while he is questioned.

The New York Times

In court filings, the three cardiologists say that when they refused to refer patients to Dr. Yahagi, whose skills as a surgeon they questioned, they were put under intense pressure.

The New York Times

The ship's captain, Francesco Schettino, blamed for causing the accident by coming too close to shore and then abandoning the vessel before the evacuation was complete, was put under house arrest yesterday after being questioned by a judge.

Independent

For all its usefulness, though, e-mail monitoring raises the question of who exactly should be put under the lens.

The New York Times

The question how primary and secondary school students ameliorate writing skills is put under lens through the documentation of student texts with meticulous analysis.

Functional Linguistics

Soon, apparently innocuous questions become more loaded and the performers' endurance is increasingly put under pressure.

The Guardian

Political leaders were put under house arrest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the subject being questioned is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The company's financial records were put under question after the audit."

Common error

Avoid using "put under question" simply as a replacement for the verb "question". It implies a more formal or critical examination rather than a simple inquiry. For example, instead of saying "I put his motives under question," consider "I questioned his motives" if you only mean to ask about them, not necessarily challenge them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put under question" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates that something is being subjected to doubt, scrutiny, or formal inquiry. Ludwig provides examples where its usage implies a challenge to the validity or reliability of a subject.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put under question" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that implies something's validity or reliability is being doubted or formally examined. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, holding a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the subject being questioned is clearly identified and remember that it suggests a more critical examination than simply asking a question. Alternatives like "call into question" or "cast doubt on" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call into question

Emphasizes the act of expressing doubt or uncertainty about something.

cast doubt on

Highlights the act of creating uncertainty about the truth or validity of something.

raise doubts about

Focuses on introducing elements of uncertainty or skepticism.

throw suspicion on

Suggests that something is regarded with distrust or skepticism.

challenge the validity of

Directly contests the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

dispute the truth of

Implies an active disagreement about the veracity of something.

question the accuracy of

Specifically asks whether something is precise or correct.

undermine the credibility of

Weakens the believability or trustworthiness of something.

express skepticism about

Communicates a general feeling of doubt or disbelief.

challenge the reliability of

Directly contests the dependability or consistency of something.

FAQs

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

Use "put under question" to indicate that something is being doubted, challenged, or scrutinized. For example, "The study's findings were "called into question" after new evidence emerged".

What are some alternatives to "put under question"?

Alternatives 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.

When is it appropriate to use "put under question" instead of simply "question"?

"Put under question" is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is not just being asked about but is facing scrutiny or doubt. If you're merely seeking information, "question" is sufficient; if you're highlighting a challenge to validity, use "put under question".

Is "put under question" the same as "under question"?

While similar, "put under question" implies an action of subjecting something to doubt or scrutiny, whereas "under question" describes the state of being doubted or scrutinized. For instance, "The policy was put under question" suggests someone challenged it, while "The policy is under question" means its validity is currently being debated.