question him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "question him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone for information, such as in the sentence, "We need to question him about his involvement in the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Question him".

The New York Times

They question him.

The New York Times

The tunnel officer began to question him.

The New York Times

Detectives flew down to question him.

The New York Times

I not going to question him".

The New York Times

And they did not even question him.

The New York Times

Security immediately came over to question him.

The New York Times

And he can be prickly with those who question him.

The Economist

Police will now question him at a later date.

Independent

Others can question him, but Bautista said he always believed.

The New York Times - Sports

The next day, she impatiently waited to question him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "question him", ensure the context clarifies the reason for questioning and the type of information sought. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "question him" in extremely formal or legal contexts where terms like "interrogate" or "examine" might be more appropriate. Consider the audience and the seriousness of the situation when choosing your words.

Linguistic Context

"Question him" serves as a transitive verb phrase, indicating the act of asking someone questions to obtain information or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Examples from the search data show it used in news reports, narratives, and dialogues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "question him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for seeking information from an individual. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. Its usage is predominantly found in news and media contexts. While simple, it’s important to consider the formality of the situation and whether alternative phrases like "interrogate him" or "examine him" might be more suitable. Overall, it's a straightforward and versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrogate him

Emphasizes a more formal or intense questioning process.

ask him questions

Highlights the act of posing multiple questions.

grill him

Implies rigorous and possibly aggressive questioning.

cross-examine him

Refers to questioning in a legal or formal setting.

inquire of him

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "ask him".

probe him

Suggests a deeper, more investigative questioning.

examine him

Focuses on a detailed and careful questioning to understand something fully.

investigate him

Indicates a broader inquiry, not limited to just asking questions.

debrief him

Typically refers to questioning someone after a mission or event to gather information.

put him under scrutiny

Shifts the focus to observation and analysis, rather than direct questioning.

FAQs

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

You can use "question him" in a sentence like, "The police decided to question him about the robbery" or "The journalist wanted to question him about his new policies".

What is a more formal way to say "question him"?

A more formal way to say "question him" is to use phrases like "interrogate him" or "examine him", particularly in legal or official settings.

Is there a difference between "question him" and "ask him questions"?

"Question him" implies a directed and potentially probing line of inquiry, while "ask him questions" simply means to pose multiple questions without the implication of a specific agenda.

When is it appropriate to use "question him"?

It is appropriate to use "question him" in contexts where you need to gather information from someone, whether it's for investigative, journalistic, or general informational purposes.