question
question — noun
1. words that you say or write when you want someone to tell you something
words that you say or write when you want someone to tell you something
Valentina raised her hand and asked the teacher a question about the homework.
question about + noun phrase
When the tour ended, Sirin still had several questions about the old temple.
The journalist's first question caught the mayor completely off guard.
Christopher read each survey question twice before marking his answer.
"What is the capital of Mongolia?" is a question answered in a single word.
文法句型
question + about + noun phrase
have a question + for + person
常見錯誤
2. one of the problems or tasks in a test or examination that measures a student's
one of the problems or tasks in a test or examination that measures a student's knowledge or skill in a particular area
Sumin finished the first three questions on the maths test in under ten minutes.
question + number in test context
The final exam had ten essay questions, and each student chose four to answer.
Each question in the listening section is worth two points.
The question on page three asked students to label the parts of a flower.
Walid skipped the hardest question and came back to it at the end.
文法句型
question + number
question + on/about + topic
用法筆記
Often used with a number (question 1, question 2) to refer to a specific task in a test or assignment.
常見錯誤
3. an issue, problem, or subject that people need to discuss, consider, or make a d
an issue, problem, or subject that people need to discuss, consider, or make a decision about
The question of how to reduce city traffic came up at every council meeting.
the question of + how/to-infinitive clause
Tamás raised the question of whether the school should switch to solar power.
Voters care deeply about the question of rising housing costs in the region.
The city council debated the question of whether to build a new library.
文法句型
the question of + noun phrase/gerund
question + about + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the phrase 'the question of [something]' to introduce a topic that requires discussion or decision. Unlike noun sense 1, this sense does not refer to a spoken or written sentence — it refers to a real-world issue.
常見錯誤
4. a feeling that something may not be true, right, or certain; a lack of confidenc
a feeling that something may not be true, right, or certain; a lack of confidence about a claim or situation
There is no question that regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.
there is no question + that-clause (certainty)
The witness's honesty was called into question when her story changed for the third time.
call something into question (fixed phrase)
The manager's ability to lead the team is open to question after last month's losses.
Eitan had serious questions about whether the project could be finished on schedule.
- doubt
more personal and emotional; 'question' in this sense is slightly more formal and often used in fixed expressions
- uncertainty
more neutral and factual; does not imply suspicion in the same way
- certainty
the feeling of being completely sure about something
文法句型
there is no question + that-clause
call something into question
be open to question
用法筆記
Typically appears in fixed phrases: 'there is no question (that)', 'call/bring something into question', 'open to question'. Unlike other noun senses, this sense is uncountable — you cannot say 'a question' or 'two questions' when using this meaning.
常見錯誤
5. the specific person, thing, or subject that is currently being talked about in a
the specific person, thing, or subject that is currently being talked about in a discussion or document
The house in question was built in 1920 and has not been renovated since.
[noun] + in question (post-modifier)
Dahlia argued that the money in question had already been spent on new equipment.
The person in question declined to comment when reporters approached him outside the court.
We need to focus on the matter in question and stop discussing unrelated details.
文法句型
[noun] + in question
用法筆記
This sense only appears in the fixed phrase '[noun] in question', where it follows the noun it modifies. It never stands alone as a subject or object — you cannot say 'the question is the man' to mean 'the man being discussed'.
常見錯誤
question — verb
1. to ask someone many detailed questions in a thorough or official way, often beca
to ask someone many detailed questions in a thorough or official way, often because you think they may have done something wrong or need to give important information
The police questioned the witness for three hours about what she had seen that night.
questioned + [person] + about + noun phrase
Élise felt nervous when the immigration officer questioned her about her travel plans.
The committee plans to question the chief executive about the company's recent financial losses.
Several neighbours were questioned by detectives, but none of them had noticed anything unusual.
- interrogate
stronger and more aggressive; suggests pressure or authority, often in police settings
- interview
neutral or journalistic; does not carry the same sense of suspicion
- cross-examine
specific to courtroom settings where a lawyer questions a witness
文法句型
question + person + about + noun phrase
be questioned + by + agent
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal, legal, or official contexts. Unlike 'ask', this verb implies a systematic or suspicious inquiry — it is not used for casual requests for information.
常見錯誤
2. to express doubt about whether something is true, fair, sensible, or correct, of
to express doubt about whether something is true, fair, sensible, or correct, often by saying that you disagree or want more evidence
Several scientists questioned the accuracy of the study's findings and asked for more data.
question + noun phrase (accuracy, value, truth, etc.)
Lakshmi never questioned her father's decisions until she was old enough to think for herself.
The senator questioned whether the new law would help small businesses or just create paperwork.
Historians have begun to question the traditional account of the battle after finding new documents.
文法句型
question + noun phrase
question + whether/if + clause
用法筆記
Object can be a noun phrase (questioned the decision) or a whether/if-clause (questioned whether the plan would work). The subject is typically a person or group who was previously accepting and is now re-evaluating. Distinguish from verb sense 1: this sense does not involve asking questions aloud — it is about mental doubt or verbal challenge.