questions were asked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questions were asked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to questions that were asked in a conversation or group discussion. For example: After a lengthy discussion, questions were asked about the feasibility of the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two questions were asked.

The Guardian - Business

Questions were asked in Parliament.

The Guardian

Two Jets questions were asked.

The New York Times

But then questions were asked.

The Guardian - Music

Inevitably, questions were asked about the war.

Independent

Many questions were asked in its aftermath.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A lot of good questions were asked.

The New York Times

Questions were asked about Grant's team selection.

The Guardian - Sport

The original said no questions were asked on climate change.

The Guardian

The questions were asked and (relatively) easily answered.

The Guardian - Books

No questions were asked about more serious abuse or torture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "questions were asked" to introduce a summary of inquiries or concerns raised in a specific context, providing a clear indication that an exchange of information or scrutiny took place.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice ("") in your writing. While "questions were asked" is grammatically correct, consider who asked the questions to create a more active and engaging sentence: "The committee asked several probing questions."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "questions were asked" is to indicate that an inquiry or questioning process occurred. It serves to introduce the fact that questions were posed without specifying who asked them or what the questions were. Ludwig AI confirms this by identifying numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "questions were asked" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that an inquiry or questioning process occurred. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is adaptable to a range of registers, though commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to consider whether specifying who asked the questions would provide more clarity. When seeking alternatives, ""inquiries were made"" or ""queries were raised"" may offer a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inquiries were made

This alternative emphasizes the act of seeking information through a formal investigation or questioning process.

queries were raised

This suggests that doubts or concerns were brought up, often in a more formal setting.

issues were questioned

This focuses on the specific problems or topics that were subjected to scrutiny or debate.

points were interrogated

Highlights the intense examination of specific aspects or details.

concerns were voiced

Indicates that anxieties or worries were expressed by individuals.

probes were conducted

Suggests a thorough investigation or examination was carried out.

examinations took place

This alternative highlights a formal and structured assessment or review.

somebody inquired

Focuses on the act of a person asking a question.

the matter was investigated

This emphasizes the investigation process rather than the act of questioning.

conversations ensued

Suggests a series of exchanges and discussions occurred as a result of initial questions.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "questions were asked" to sound more active?

Instead of "questions were asked", try using active voice constructions like "the committee inquired", "investigators probed", or "stakeholders questioned" depending on who was asking the questions.

What's a formal alternative to "questions were asked"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "inquiries were made" or "queries were raised". These alternatives suggest a structured or official investigation.

Is it better to specify who asked the questions instead of just saying "questions were asked"?

Yes, specifying who asked the questions often provides more clarity and impact. For example, instead of "questions were asked about the budget", you could say "the board members asked questions about the budget".

When is it appropriate to use "questions were asked" in writing?

The phrase "questions were asked" is suitable when you want to generally indicate that inquiries took place without necessarily focusing on who asked them or what the specific questions were. It's also useful when the asker is unknown or unimportant.