suspicious questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suspicious questions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to inquiries that seem to imply doubt or mistrust about a situation or person. Example: "During the interview, the candidate asked several suspicious questions that raised red flags for the hiring manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Unfortunately, pregnant women have more to worry about than suspicious questions from bar patrons.

The New York Times

But when the police stopped him, the picture of the target of terrorism drew suspicious questions from the officers, Mr. Alenany said.

The New York Times

But his son has a brain disease, a "mental" illness, so he has to face the incredulous, suspicious questions of friends and strangers.

The New York Times

Carlson prides himself on occasionally booking unexpected figures, like Mark Blyth, a political economist who criticizes neoliberalism from the left, or Michelle Brané, a lawyer and migrant-rights activist, who charmed him with calm answers to his suspicious questions.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ashcroft compared the authorities' interest in these 20 men to their investigation of reports that Mohamed Atta, who is suspected of being a central figure in the hijacking plot, had asked suspicious questions about crop-dusting planes.

The New York Times

In the end, I phoned J&R Music's toll-free number, peppered the nice customer service representative with suspicious questions ("You say it's in stock, but I've been hurt before. Why should I believe you?") and ordered the DEJ01, requesting standard four-day shipping via U.P.S.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He seems wary, defensive, suspicious of questions.

The Guardian - Arts

This pre-publication stumble has led the suspicious to question the independence and authority of the account.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, police became suspicious and questioned the woman further, after which she reportedly told them about the attack and the doctor was arrested.

Independent

She found herself undermining the behaviour and motives of the protesters and the protest leaders with suspicious-sounding questions: "The promotional clips we made told viewers the programme would be asking: 'Who are these protesters?

The Guardian

Apparently, he was finally busted on December 17, when personnel at the Cook County Courthouse found some of his behavior suspicious and questioned his credentials.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suspicious questions", ensure the context clearly indicates who finds the questions suspicious and why. This adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "suspicious questions" when simpler alternatives like "detailed questions" or "thorough inquiries" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can create unnecessary tension or negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suspicious questions" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "suspicious" modifies the noun "questions". It describes the nature or quality of the questions being asked, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suspicious questions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe inquiries that imply doubt or mistrust. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals its common usage in news and media, as well as in wiki contexts. While the phrase carries a neutral tone, it's important to use it judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives in neutral situations. Ludwig AI confirms the expression's validity and offers alternative phrasing options, such as "questionable inquiries" or "probing questions", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable inquiries

Replaces "suspicious" with "questionable", focusing on the uncertainty or doubtfulness of the questions.

dubious inquiries

Uses "dubious" instead of "suspicious", highlighting the doubtful or uncertain nature of the questions.

probing questions

Focuses on the intrusive nature of the questions, implying an attempt to uncover hidden information.

leading questions

Highlights questions designed to elicit a specific response or confirm a preconceived idea.

inquisitorial questioning

Emphasizes a rigorous and often aggressive line of questioning, similar to an inquisition.

skeptical inquiries

Focuses on the doubt and disbelief underlying the questions.

incredulous questions

Highlights the disbelief and surprise conveyed by the questions.

careful questioning

Emphasizes the prudence and caution in the interrogation or investigation

rigorous interrogation

Replaces both words for a stronger emphasis on the process of systematic and thorough questioning, indicating a more formal or intense scenario.

investigative questioning

Highlights the investigative intent behind the questions.

FAQs

How can I use "suspicious questions" in a sentence?

You can use "suspicious questions" to describe inquiries that suggest mistrust or doubt. For example, "The detective's "probing questions" made the suspect nervous."

What's a good alternative to "suspicious questions"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "questionable inquiries", "dubious inquiries", or "probing questions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes questions "suspicious"?

Questions become "suspicious" when they seem to have a hidden agenda, imply doubt, or aim to uncover something concealed. The intent behind the questions, rather than the questions themselves, often makes them suspicious.

Are "suspicious questions" always accusatory?

Not necessarily. While they can be accusatory, "suspicious questions" may simply reflect a desire to understand a situation better or to verify information. The tone and context are crucial in determining whether they are accusatory or merely inquisitive.