ENGLISH
REFERENCE

questioned

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈkwɛstʃənd// UK //kwˈɛstʃənd// ques·tioned

v. to ask someone many questions to get information, or to doubt if something is true.

v. to interrogate a person closely or to express doubt regarding the validity or honesty of a claim.


SIMPLE

The police questioned the witness for two hours.

CONTEXTUAL

Many citizens questioned the government's decision to raise taxes during a financial crisis.

COMPLEX

Although the data appeared solid, the lead researcher questioned the methodology used to collect the samples, fearing a systematic bias had influenced the results.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; when expressing doubt, it is often followed by a 'whether' or 'if' clause.

Pitfall

They questioned about his past.They questioned his past.Questioned is a transitive verb and does not require the preposition 'about' before the object.

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