- Do you ever wonder if you’re using “question” naturally in English?
- Are you unsure which verbs pair best with “question” to sound more fluent?
- Does the phrase “make a question” sound right to you, or does it feel a little off?
Understanding collocations—words that commonly go together—is crucial for sounding natural and fluent in English. Instead of translating word-for-word, learning these fixed partnerships, like those with the word “question,” will significantly boost your confidence and comprehension. Let’s dive into the most common and essential collocations for both “question” as a noun and as a verb.
Common Collocations with QUESTION as a Noun
Verbs that pair with QUESTION
These verbs describe actions you perform with or regarding a question.
- Ask a question: To seek information from someone.
- Example: “Could I ask a quick question about the project deadline?”
- Pose a question: To present a question, often a difficult or important one, for consideration.
- Example: “The speaker posed a challenging question to the audience about climate change.”
- Raise a question: To bring up a topic or issue for discussion or consideration.
- Example: “Her comments raised a valid question regarding the ethical implications.”
- Answer a question: To provide a response to an inquiry.
- Example: “He couldn’t answer all the questions during the press conference.”
- Field a question: To receive and respond to a question, especially publicly or unexpectedly.
- Example: “The CEO expertly fielded tough questions from reporters.”
- Address a question: To deal with or respond to a specific question or issue.
- Example: “The manager promised to address our questions about salary increases in the next meeting.”
- Evade a question / Duck a question: To avoid giving a direct answer.
- Example: “The politician tried to evade the question about his past.”
- Example: “He always ducks uncomfortable questions during interviews.”
Adjectives that describe a QUESTION
These adjectives specify the type or nature of the question being asked.
- Rhetorical question: A question asked merely for effect with no answer expected.
- Example: “Is the Pope Catholic? That’s a rhetorical question!”
- Leading question: A question that suggests the answer or contains information the examiner is looking to have confirmed.
- Example: “The lawyer was accused of asking leading questions to influence the jury.”
- Open question: A question that requires a detailed answer, not just “yes” or “no”.
- Example: “Our survey focuses on open questions to gather rich feedback.”
- Closed question: A question that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” or a fixed choice.
- Example: “For quick data collection, we mostly used closed questions.”
- Burning question: A very important or urgent question that people are eager to have answered.
- Example: “The burning question on everyone’s mind was about the company’s future.”
- Tough/Difficult question: A question that is hard to answer.
- Example: “That was a really tough question; I needed time to think.”
- Hypothetical question: A question based on an imagined situation or possibility.
- Example: “Let’s consider a hypothetical question: what if we doubled our budget?”
Prepositional Phrases with QUESTION
These phrases use prepositions to connect “question” to other parts of a sentence, often expressing status or doubt.
- In question: Being discussed, debated, or doubted; under consideration.
- Example: “The witness whose testimony was in question finally arrived.”
- Out of the question: Impossible; not to be considered.
- Example: “Working overtime tonight is out of the question; I have a prior engagement.”
- Beyond question / Without question: Certainly true; not open to doubt.
- Example: “Her loyalty to the team is beyond question.”
- Example: “He is, without question, the best candidate for the job.”
- A question of (something): A matter or issue concerning something.
- Example: “It’s not a question of money, but a question of principle.”
Essential Collocations using QUESTION as a Verb
When “question” acts as a verb, it means to ask someone questions or to express doubt about something.
To Interrogate or Interrogate Gently
- Question someone: To ask someone a series of questions, often formally or in an official capacity (e.g., by police).
- Example: “The police needed to question the suspect about his whereabouts.”
- Example: “The teacher would question students individually about their understanding.”
- Closely question: To interrogate someone thoroughly and with great attention to detail.
- Example: “Investigators closely questioned the witness for several hours.”
- Politely question: To ask questions in a respectful and courteous manner.
- Example: “She decided to politely question her colleague about the conflicting information.”
To Express Doubt or Challenge
- Question a decision / motive / judgment: To express doubt about the validity, wisdom, or intention of something.
- Example: “Many people began to question the company’s decision to lay off staff.”
- Example: “I have to question his motives for being so generous all of a sudden.”
- Example: “It’s important to question authority when you believe something is wrong.”
- Seriously question: To have significant doubts about something.
- Example: “I seriously question the accuracy of these statistics.”
- Call into question: To cause doubts about something; to challenge or cast suspicion upon. (Often used with abstract nouns like integrity, validity, reputation).
- Example: “The new evidence could call his testimony into question.”
- Example: “His past actions have called his leadership into question.”
Master Summary: Key Collocations with QUESTION
Here’s a quick reference table for the most essential collocations you’ve learned.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ask a question | Noun (verb + noun) | To make an inquiry. |
| pose a question | Noun (verb + noun) | To present a question, often a significant one. |
| raise a question | Noun (verb + noun) | To bring up an issue for discussion. |
| answer a question | Noun (verb + noun) | To provide a response. |
| field a question | Noun (verb + noun) | To respond to a question, especially publicly. |
| rhetorical question | Noun (adjective + noun) | A question for effect, no answer expected. |
| burning question | Noun (adjective + noun) | An important, urgent question. |
| in question | Noun (prepositional phrase) | Under consideration or debate. |
| out of the question | Noun (prepositional phrase) | Impossible; not an option. |
| beyond question | Noun (prepositional phrase) | Certainly true; not doubtful. |
| question someone | Verb (verb + object) | To interrogate or inquire. |
| question a decision | Verb (verb + object) | To express doubt about a choice. |
| call into question | Verb (phrasal verb) | To cause doubts about; challenge. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid these common errors to sound more like a native speaker.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Ask a question / Pose a question | |
| Call into question / Question (as a verb) | |
| Have a question / Have some questions | |
| Answer a question | |
| The question is difficult (or) That’s a difficult question | |
| It’s beyond question that… / There’s no question that… |
During the board meeting, Sarah decided to raise a crucial question about the new marketing strategy. She needed to ask a direct question about the budget, but first, she wanted to pose a hypothetical question to gauge reactions. When the CEO tried to evade the question about potential risks, Mark quickly jumped in to field the question, ensuring it was properly addressed. Later, some of the junior staff began to question the decision to expand so rapidly, worried that it might call the company’s stability into question. For them, the biggest burning question was whether this expansion was truly necessary. After much debate, it became beyond question that more data was needed before proceeding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Question Collocations
What’s the difference between “ask a question” and “raise a question”?
“Ask a question” is a general term for making an inquiry. “Raise a question” specifically means to bring an issue or topic up for discussion or consideration, often implying it’s a new or significant point.
Can “question” be used as an adjective?
While “question” is primarily a noun or verb, it can function adjectivally in compound nouns, such as “question time” (a period set aside for questions) or “question mark.” However, it doesn’t typically serve as a standalone descriptive adjective in the way “difficult” or “important” would.
What prepositions commonly follow “question” when it’s a noun?
Common prepositions include “of” (as in “a question of principle”), “in” (as in “in question”), and “about” or “on” (as in “questions about the policy” or “a question on grammar”). Phrases like “out of the question” and “beyond question” also use specific prepositions.
Is “rhetorical question” a common and natural collocation?
Absolutely. “Rhetorical question” is a very common and natural collocation in English, referring to a question asked for dramatic effect or to make a point, rather than to elicit a direct answer.
When should I use “call into question” versus “doubt”?
“Doubt” is a verb meaning to feel uncertain about something. “Call into question” is a stronger, more formal phrase meaning to cause others to doubt, challenge, or cast suspicion upon the validity, integrity, or truth of something. “Call into question” implies actively challenging an established idea or reputation, whereas “doubt” can be a personal feeling of uncertainty.
What a brilliant explanation! Could you possibly do a similar article for collocations with 'problem' or 'issue'?
Thank you, Ravi! That's a fantastic suggestion! 'Problem' and 'issue' certainly have their own rich sets of collocations that are very useful for English learners. We'll add it to our content calendar. Stay tuned!
Before reading this, I would have definitely used 'make a question.' This is a common mistake for Spanish speakers like me. So glad I found this!
We're delighted to have helped clarify that for you, Nadia! It's perfectly normal for learners from various language backgrounds to make similar constructions. The important thing is recognizing it and actively incorporating the correct collocations into your speech and writing. ¡Sigue adelante!
This article really highlights the importance of learning words in context, not just individually. Collocations are definitely a game-changer for fluency.
You've articulated a fundamental principle of language learning, Oscar! Learning words in context through collocations is indeed crucial for fluency and naturalness. It helps you build a more robust and accurate mental lexicon. Keep that mindset!
I sometimes hear 'field a question.' Is that similar to 'answer a question' or does it have a different nuance?
Great question, Isabelle! 'Field a question' is indeed similar to 'answer a question,' but it often implies handling a series of questions, or answering an unexpected or challenging question, typically in a public setting like a press conference. So, 'answer a question' is more general, while 'field a question' suggests a more active, responsive role. Excellent linguistic curiosity!
Super clear and concise. The example sentences are perfect for illustrating the usage. I'll be sharing this with my study group!
That's wonderful to hear, David! We believe in the power of clear examples. Thanks for spreading the word to your study group – mutual learning is a fantastic way to improve!
Thank you for addressing 'make a question'! It's one of those silent struggles that I just knew wasn't quite right. Now I have the proper alternatives. What about when 'question' is a verb itself? Could you expand on that in a future post?
You're very welcome, Maria! We're glad we could shed light on that common issue. And yes, absolutely! 'Question' as a verb has its own interesting collocations, like 'question authority' or 'question someone's motives.' We'll definitely consider a follow-up post on that for our advanced learners!
Does 'put a question' work? Or is it always 'ask a question'? I think I've heard it sometimes, especially in formal settings?
That's a great point, Anja! 'Put a question' is indeed a valid collocation, especially in more formal contexts or when referring to formally submitting a question, like in a parliamentary session ('The MP put a question to the Prime Minister'). However, 'ask a question' remains the most common and versatile choice for everyday usage. Well spotted!
This article on collocations is fantastic. I'm an intermediate learner and sometimes I still feel my English sounds a bit 'translated.' This is exactly what I need to sound more native.
I often mix up 'raise a question' and 'ask a question'. Could you give another example for each to highlight the difference more clearly?
Absolutely, Sofia! Let's clarify: 'Ask a question' is about seeking information directly, e.g., 'The student asked a question about the homework.' 'Raise a question' is about introducing an issue for discussion or consideration, e.g., 'The new policy raised questions about data privacy.' Think of 'ask' as seeking an answer and 'raise' as prompting discussion.
What about 'beg the question'? Is that also a collocation? It seems different from the examples given.
That's an excellent advanced question, Kenji! 'Beg the question' is indeed a collocation, but it functions differently. It's an idiom meaning to raise a point that hasn't been proven, or to invite an obvious question rather than answering it. It's often misused to mean 'raise the question.' We might even cover it in a future idiom article!