was still in question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was still in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something remains uncertain or unresolved. Example: "The validity of the experiment's results was still in question after the review process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He regretted that South Africa's ability to unite in pursuit of a "commonly defined national agenda" was still in question.

The Economist

But whereas he claimed victory two years ago by a nearly half-minute margin, Dixon's success this year was still in question until 24 laps from the finish, when he edged Dario Franchitti, his Ganassi teammate and the overall IndyCar leader for 2011.

The New York Times

Rosenthal said it's not surprising that the 56-union federation has not yet made an endorsement – he noted that only twice before in recent political history has the AFL-CIO backed a candidate in the Democratic primaries while the nomination was still in question: Al Gore in 2000 and Walter Mondale in 1984.

The Guardian

Google+ was getting the sign-ups, but whether users would remain active over time was still in question.

TechCrunch

In an email sent to PRNewser this morning, the PR firm is confirming their involvement (as if that was still in question), defending themselves and their actions, and blaming Facebook for bringing the work to them in the first place.

TechCrunch

In 1930, the quality of the professional game was still in question, with many claiming the college "amateurs" played with more intensity.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The health effects were still in question.

The New Yorker

Insurance costs are still in question.

The New York Times

But the theory is still in question.

The New York Times

"But that is still in question," Fleming said.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, Teledesic's technical feasibility is still in question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was still in question" when you want to emphasize that a matter, despite some consideration, has not yet reached a definitive conclusion or resolution. It's suitable when the uncertainty persists.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overuse of "was still in question" in highly formal or academic writing. Alternatives like "remained uncertain" or "was yet to be determined" may be more appropriate for maintaining a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was still in question" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating a state of uncertainty or unresolved status regarding a particular subject. It modifies the subject by ascribing this quality of doubt or inconclusiveness to it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was still in question" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate that something remained uncertain or unresolved at a specific time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for expressing doubt or uncertainty, primarily in news, media, and general discussions. More formal alternatives, like "remained uncertain", might be preferred in academic settings. While the phrase is relatively common, it is important to consider the context to avoid overuse and maintain an appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained uncertain

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise adjective.

remained an open question

Highlights the unresolved nature of the issue.

was yet to be resolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution.

had not been determined

Emphasizes the absence of a decision.

the answer was unclear

Directly states the lack of clarity.

was up in the air

An idiomatic expression indicating uncertainty.

its validity was unconfirmed

Focuses specifically on the lack of validation.

was subject to debate

Indicates ongoing discussion and disagreement.

its outcome was pending

Indicates that the result is awaiting determination.

continued to be doubted

Highlights the persistent skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "was still in question" in a sentence?

You can use "was still in question" to express that something remained uncertain or unresolved at a particular point in time. For example, "Whether the project would succeed "was still in question" despite the team's best efforts."

What's a more formal alternative to "was still in question"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "remained uncertain", "was yet to be determined", or "remained an open question" instead of "was still in question".

Is there a difference between "was still in question" and "is still in question"?

Yes, "was still in question" refers to a past state of uncertainty, while "is still in question" indicates that something is currently uncertain. The tense changes the timeframe of the uncertainty.

Can I use "was still in question" when discussing a person's abilities?

Yes, you can, but ensure it fits the context. For example, "His ability to lead the company "was still in question" after the recent scandal."