start questioning

USAGE SUMMARY

"start questioning" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when you want to suggest that someone should begin to ask questions or explore information more closely. For example, "I think we need to start questioning why this issue is happening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And once you start question some things, you start questioning everything".

Vice

As soon as we question the walls, we start questioning how our family or our larger society is organized".

The New York Times

"You start questioning your own reality," she told me.

The New Yorker

Every day I ask did they start questioning him.

The New York Times

Shouldn't we now start questioning the wisdom of these sanctions?

The New York Times

That's when you start questioning yourself: 'Why are you cycling?

The Guardian - Sport

She said, "You start questioning your own reality".

The New Yorker

People might start questioning if there are medical issues with the player.

University of California, Berkeley

But we hope that the mounting pressure will make some members start questioning their allegiance.

The New York Times

They may even start questioning existing elements of the single market.

The New York Times

Sometime in the future someone will start questioning why we interpreted something as a wall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "start questioning" in academic writing, support your questioning with evidence and reasoning to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "start questioning" without clearly indicating what you are questioning. Always provide context to guide your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start questioning" functions as a verb phrase, initiating an action of inquiry or expressing doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "start questioning" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for initiating inquiry or expressing doubt. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal academic discussions to informal conversations. When employing this phrase, it is crucial to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "begin to doubt" or "call into question" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "start questioning" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to doubt

Emphasizes the element of doubt rather than a direct questioning process.

call into question

Suggests a more formal and direct challenge to something.

begin to wonder

Suggests a less direct approach, focusing on contemplation rather than active questioning.

raise doubts

Highlights the act of introducing skepticism.

commence inquiry

A more formal way of saying to start questioning focusing on investigation.

express skepticism

Focuses on conveying a general feeling of doubt.

challenge the validity

Targets the accuracy or truth of something.

initiate investigation

Focuses on a formal probe or examination.

scrutinize

Highlights the act of carefully examining something.

reconsider

Suggests a need to think about something again, potentially leading to questioning.

FAQs

How do I effectively use "start questioning" in a sentence?

To effectively use "start questioning", clearly state the subject or idea being questioned. For example, "We need to "start questioning" the assumptions behind this policy".

What are some alternatives to using "start questioning"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "begin to doubt", "call into question", or "initiate investigation".

Is it grammatically correct to say "start questioning"?

Yes, "start questioning" is grammatically correct. It functions as a verb phrase indicating the beginning of an inquiry or doubt.

What's the difference between "start questioning" and "begin questioning"?

The phrases "start questioning" and "begin questioning" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate the commencement of questioning, with minimal semantic difference.