question
gb/kwˈɛst͡ʃən/ us/kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
A1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Sentence asking for information
Words you say or write to ask for information.
Usage pattern:
ask [someone] a question
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'question' with 'ask'. 'Ask' is the action, 'question' is the thing being asked.
Synonyms
inquiry (More formal and often used in professional or official contexts.)
Antonyms
answer (An answer provides the information that a question seeks.)
Collocations
ask a question
|answer a question
|good question
|difficult question
|yes-or-no question
Themes
communication
|education
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She asked me a question about my job.
- The teacher answered all the students' questions.
- That's a very difficult question to answer.
- Can I ask you a quick question?
- He raised his hand to ask a question.
Learner examples
- I have a question for you.
- Please answer my question.
- The teacher asked a question.
- This is a good question.
- He asked a simple question.
Verb
B1
action
2
Ask about or challenge something
To ask someone about something, or to say you are not sure it is true or right.
Usage pattern:
question [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'question' as a verb with 'ask'. 'Question' often implies more formality or doubt than 'ask'.
Synonyms
challenge (Suggests actively disputing or opposing something rather than just asking about it.)
Antonyms
accept (To agree with or believe something without doubt.)
Collocations
question the decision
|question the validity
|question the witness
|seriously question
|publicly question
Themes
communication
|critical thinking
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The journalist questioned the politician about the new law.
- I question whether this plan will work.
- She questioned him about his absence.
- Many people are questioning the safety of the product.
- They questioned the witness in court.
Learner examples
- He questioned me about my trip.
- I question if this is true.
- She questioned the man about his job.
- We questioned the plan.
- The police questioned the driver.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Matter for discussion or decision
A subject or problem that people talk about or decide on.
Usage pattern:
the question of [something]
Synonyms
issue (Common synonym in debates and discussions; often interchangeable in formal contexts.)
Antonyms
solution (Represents an answer or resolution to a problem or matter under discussion.)
Collocations
a question of time
|a question of principle
|settle the question
|raise the question
Themes
politics
|law
|philosophy
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The question of climate change is urgent.
- It's simply a question of money.
- That raises an important question about fairness.
- The meeting focused on the question of security.
- We need to settle the question before moving forward.
Learner examples
- The question of money is important.
- It is a question of time.
- We talked about the question of safety.
- The meeting was about the question of jobs.
- They discussed the question of housing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
question
IPA
GB/kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
US/kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
Syllables & stress
ques - tion (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ques)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: question
- Plural: question, questions
Verb
- Base: question
- 3rd Person Singular: questions
- Present Participle: questioning
- Past: questioned
Word family
Forms
questions
noun
questioning
verb
questioned
verb
Core family
questionable
adjective B2
Related words
questioner
noun
questionnaire
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unquestionable
adjective
Advanced or less common
questionably
adverb
unquestionably
adverb
Expressions
beyond question
1/bɪjˈɔnd kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Without any doubt
Certain; without any doubt.
Examples
- Her honesty is beyond question.
- It is beyond question that he is the best player on the team.
call into question
1/kˈɔl ˈɪntu kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Cause doubt about something's truth or value
To make people feel unsure about whether something is true, right, or good.
Examples
- His actions call into question his leadership abilities.
- The report calls into question the safety of the product.
in question
1/ˈɪn kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Being discussed or considered
Being talked about or thought about; under discussion.
Examples
- The book in question is out of print.
- The person in question has been found.
open to question
1/ˈoʊpən tə kwˈɛst͡ʃən/
fixed phrase
Uncertain or debatable in truth or correctness
Not certain; people can disagree about it.
Examples
- Whether this plan will succeed is open to question.
- His motives are open to question.