to be subject to question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be subject to question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is open to scrutiny, doubt, or inquiry. Example: "The validity of the research findings is to be subject to question during the peer review process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If these key benchmarks are not based on observable transactions, I believe their integrity will continue to be subject to question".

The New York Times

"We have served more than 50m meals to soldiers in the past year and any as signment of this size is, of course, going to be subject to question," said Randy Harl, the chief executive of Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg Brown & Root.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In most facilities the review boards and clinical staff, due to perceived ethical considerations, refused to grant permission for the patients to be subjected to questions implying, even hypothetically, the age of death, i.e. the timeframe Y mentioned previously.

BMC Health Services Research

However, it can be subject to questions and criticisms.

European Journal of Health Economics

B gains through his action; but justice requires that he share those gains with A especially since the immediate effect of B's action is a loss for A. The just division of the benefits is the division that A and B would settle upon in conjunction with A's agreement to be subject to the action in question.

SEP

A wider range of voices could be heard in policy debates, and a sense that the status-quo ways of doing business for the past decade (which Mr. Putin seemed to embody, and Mr. Medvedev appeared to question) seemed to be subject to greater scrutiny.

The New York Times

Sotomayor said Florida's "apparent success" using midazolam was "subject to question" because it also employs a paralytic drug.

The Guardian

But the methodology behind that figure is subject to question and some of it will be offset by insurance payments.

Forbes

The approach to the evaluation that was chosen is subject to question, as complex interventions such as the VIP are difficult to evaluate.

BMJ Open

Israeli officials say that any passenger trying to board El Al is subject to questions from security agents.

The New York Times

Dr. John Lombardo, the N.F.L.'s chief adviser on steroids, said, "If you have a sport without steroid testing, then that sport is subject to questions when it comes to integrity issues".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be subject to question", ensure that the context clearly indicates what aspect is being doubted or scrutinized. Providing additional information can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be subject to question" without specifying what is being questioned. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion. Always provide context to make the subject of the questioning clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be subject to question" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes a noun or pronoun by indicating that it is open to doubt, scrutiny, or inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be subject to question" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that something is open to doubt or scrutiny. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for expressing uncertainty across various contexts, from news and media to scientific research. The phrase functions as a predicate adjective, highlighting that a particular subject's validity or reliability is not definitively accepted. While generally neutral to formal, it's essential to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "to be questionable" or "to be under scrutiny" can be used to convey similar meanings depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be questionable

Highlights that the matter is dubious.

to be open to doubt

Emphasizes the possibility of uncertainty or disbelief.

to be up for debate

Highlights that the matter is contentious and requires discussion.

to be under scrutiny

Focuses on the detailed examination and critical observation of something.

to be contestable

Highlights the disputable nature of something.

to be disputable

Indicates something can be argued against or debated.

to be challengeable

Indicates something can be disputed or questioned.

to be called into question

Suggests that the validity or reliability of something has been doubted.

to be of dubious validity

Highlights a lack of certainty about its truthfulness or correctness.

to be uncertain

Emphasizes the lack of certainty about something.

FAQs

How can I use "to be subject to question" in a sentence?

Use "to be subject to question" when you want to indicate that something's validity, accuracy, or reliability is being doubted or scrutinized. For example: "The research methodology is "to be subject to question" due to the small sample size."

What are some alternatives to "to be subject to question"?

Alternatives include "to be questionable", "to be open to doubt", or "to be under scrutiny". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to be subject to question" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "to be subject to question" in formal or academic writing when you need to express that something is not definitively accepted and requires further examination or validation. It is also appropriate in news and media when reporting on controversies or uncertainties.

What is the difference between "to be subject to question" and "to be questioned"?

"To be subject to question" implies that something's validity or reliability is inherently open to doubt or scrutiny, while "to be questioned" simply means that someone is asking questions about it. The former suggests a deeper, more inherent uncertainty.