to question something

USAGE SUMMARY

"to question something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are expressing the need or desire to inquire about something or have doubts about the validity of something. Example: I began to question his motives when he suggested we take a detour.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Now Paul was getting conservative Republicans to question something more fundamental than drone strikes: whether a permanent war without geographic or temporal limits – that is, the neoconservative framing of the war on terror – is really compatible with limited government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sometimes the mediator attempted to provide a correction to question something that was said or to make general comments.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

All that Bakshi's team did was to question something that Lever managers had believed over decades.

Forbes

"It would be nothing short of irresponsible to question something with so much overwhelming evidence behind it, and something that threatens us so directly as a species".

Vice

Because that's all you know, you don't have any reason to question something different because that's just the way it works".

Vice

The ability to question something until it has been proven to be true without a leap of faith is the hallmark of science, claims Professor Krauss.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

After the loss to Obama in the Iowa caucus, she told me, New Hampshire was a matter of "do or die," and, perhaps for that reason, she almost immediately opened the floor to questions, something that she had rarely done earlier in the campaign.

The New Yorker

Malcolm is still a guide calling me to question how something as dear and seamless from my being as the very words I think, read and write are infected with white supremacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Georgia police officer agrees "It's really going to take on behalf of the community that is able, to keep the department accountable, and not be afraid to question if something is wrong".

Huffington Post

In this dialogue, we are encouraged to question whether something is good because God tells us it is OR is it good regardless of God's commands.

WikiHow

When they walked over to question him, he threw something onto the grass.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to question something" when you want to express doubt or the need for further investigation. It's suitable in contexts where you want to challenge assumptions or seek clarification.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessively using "to question something" in formal writing can make your tone seem overly critical or negative. Consider replacing it with more neutral alternatives like "to examine" or "to investigate" /s/to+examine or /s/to+investigate to maintain a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to question something" functions as an infinitive phrase that typically introduces a clause expressing doubt, inquiry, or challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to question something" is a grammatically correct and usable infinitive phrase that expresses doubt, inquiry, or the need for further investigation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical status. While generally neutral in register, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider whether a more neutral alternative like "to examine" might be more appropriate, especially in formal writing. Alternatives include "to doubt something" or "to challenge something", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to doubt something

This alternative replaces "question" with "doubt", emphasizing a feeling of uncertainty or disbelief.

to challenge something

This alternative uses "challenge" instead of "question", suggesting a more confrontational or argumentative approach.

to dispute something

Swaps out 'question' with 'dispute', implying a formal disagreement or debate.

to inquire about something

Replaces "question" with "inquire about", making it more formal and emphasizing the act of seeking information.

to investigate something

This alternative uses "investigate" rather than "question", which suggests a more thorough and systematic examination.

to examine something

Replacing "question" with "examine" highlights a careful and detailed inspection.

to analyze something

Substitutes "question" with "analyze", focusing on a detailed examination to understand its nature or elements.

to scrutinize something

Replacing "question" with "scrutinize" emphasizes a critical and thorough examination, often to detect flaws.

to query something

This alternative replaces "question" with "query", offering a more formal synonym that emphasizes the act of asking.

to take a skeptical view of something

This alternative shifts from a direct action to a descriptive stance of skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "to question something" in a sentence?

You can use "to question something" to express doubt or inquire about the validity of something. For example, "It's important to question something when it doesn't align with your values."

What are some alternatives to "to question something"?

Alternatives include "to doubt something", "to challenge something", or "to inquire about something", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "to question something"?

While grammatically correct, "to question something" can sometimes sound overly critical. Consider the context and your audience to ensure your tone is appropriate. Alternatives like "to examine something" might be more suitable in certain situations.

What's the difference between "to question something" and "to doubt something"?

"To question something" implies a need for further inquiry or validation, while "to doubt something" suggests a stronger feeling of uncertainty or disbelief. The choice depends on the degree of skepticism you want to express.