question

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkwɛstʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • 1a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information: we hope this leaflet has been helpful in answering your questions
  • a doubt about the truth or validity of something: there’s no question that the company’s true financial situation is different
  • [mass noun] the raising of a doubt about or objection to something: Edward was the only one she obeyed without question her loyalty is really beyond question
  • 2a matter requiring resolution or discussion: the question of local government funding worried ministers
  • a matter or concern depending on or involving a specified condition or thing: it was not simply a question of age and hierarchy

verb

[with object]
  • ask (someone) questions, especially in an official context: four men were being questioned about the killings (as noun questioning) the young lieutenant escorted us to the barracks for questioning
  • feel or express doubt about; raise objections to: members had questioned the cost of the scheme

Phrases

be a question of time

be certain to happen sooner or later: it is only a question of time before somebody is killed

bring something into question

raise an issue for further consideration or discussion: technology had brought into question the whole future of work

come into question

become an issue for further consideration or discussion: our Sunday Trading laws have come into question

in question

  • 1being considered or discussed: on the day in question, there were several serious emergencies
  • 2in doubt: all of the old certainties are in question

no question of

no possibility of: there is no question of the fight not going ahead

out of the question

too impracticable or unlikely to merit discussion.

put the question

(in a formal debate or meeting) require supporters and opponents of a proposal to record their votes.

Derivatives

questioner

noun

questioningly

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French question (noun), questionner (verb), from Latin quaestio(n-), from quaerere 'ask, seek'

Grammar

There are three main types of question in English:Yes/no questionThese expect the answer yes or no (or possibly I don't know): Are they good jobs? Did he know just how deeply his father was opposed to things? Either/or questionA variant on the yes/no question is one which offers a choice of response: Do you want a strong cup or a weak one? Here the respondent can't answer yes or no; the only possible answers are a strong cup or a weak one.Question-word questionThese are sometimes described as ‘open’ questions, because they allow the respondent a freer choice of answer. They begin with one of these words: who(m) which what when where why how For example: Why are you doing this? Who has the papers? Not all questions fail into one of these three groups. Sometimes a question is asked using a regular statement pattern: You have the papers? We indicate to a reader that it is a question by placing a question mark at the end of the sentence. In speech the voice is raised at the end of the sentence, rather than falling as it does at the end of a statement.