What is question? Pronunciation and usage in English

question means . Learn how to pronounce and use question through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of question

questionnoun/verb

/ˈkwɛstʃ(ə)n/
Definition & pronunciation of question

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "question" in English. It's a tricky one for learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • kwest-shun

Let's break that down further:

  • "quest": This part sounds like the word "quest" (as in a treasure hunt). The emphasis is on the first syllable.
  • "shun": This part is like the word "sun," but with a "sh" sound.

Here's a more detailed breakdown with phonetic symbols (though these are optional):

/ˈkwestʃən/

  • ˈkwest (stress on this syllable) – pronounced like “kwest” (rhymes with “west”)
  • shun – pronounced like “shun” with a “sh” sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don’t say “kwes-chun”: The "sh" sound is key.
  • Practice the "sh" sound: Make sure you’re producing a clear "sh" like in "ship" or "she."
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can find many examples on YouTube or Merriam-Webster’s pronunciation guide: https://www.merriam-webster.com/audio/pronunciation/question

Would you like me to:

  • Provide you with some audio examples?
  • Break down the pronunciation even further?

Usage and examples with the word question in English

Let's break down how to use the word "question" in English. It's a really versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (the thing - a query, inquiry):

  • Asking a question: This is the most common use.

    • "I have a question for you."
    • "Could you please ask me a question?"
    • "She asked a difficult question about the data."

  • A specific query:

    • "The teacher posed a challenging question to the class."
    • "My main question is: Where should I go on vacation?"

  • General inquiry: (often used in formal contexts)

    • “The committee received numerous questions regarding the proposal.”

  • A doubt or uncertainty: (less common, more figurative)

    • “He had a lot of questions about the future.” (meaning doubts or uncertainties)

2. As a Verb (to inquire, to ask):

  • To ask a question:

    • "I'm going to question him about his whereabouts." (formal, often used in investigations)
    • “Don’t question my decisions!” (informal, expressing disagreement)

  • To challenge or probe (often used in formal settings):

    • "The lawyer questioned the witness under oath." (legal context - to examine closely)
    • “The journalist questioned the politician’s motives.” (investigative/news context)

  • To give someone a task to consider: (more informal)

    • "I'll question you on this material tomorrow." (meaning: "I'll ask you about this tomorrow.")

3. Phrases with “Question”:

  • Question mark (?): The punctuation mark used at the end of a question.

    • “Is it raining?” (followed by a question mark)

  • Questionable: Doubtful or suspect.

    • "His story is questionable."

  • Question everything: To examine something thoroughly and critically.

    • “Don't question everything you hear; think for yourself!”

  • Questionable motives: Reasons that are uncertain or suspect.

  • Question of fact: A matter that can be proven true or false.

    • "The most important question of fact is whether the defendant was at the scene."

  • Question and answer: A format for discussion or testing.

    • “We’ll have a question and answer session at the end.”

Tips for Using "Question" Correctly:

  • Capitalize "Question" when it's a proper noun: (e.g., "The Big Question" - a television program)
  • Use it in the correct tense: "I will question him" (future), "I questioned him" (past), "I am questioning him" (present continuous).
  • Context is key: The precise meaning of "question" depends heavily on how it's used in a sentence.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing an essay, having a conversation, understanding a legal document?)
  • Is there a particular way you're struggling to use the word? (e.g., forming questions correctly, using it as a verb, understanding its nuances?)

Synonyms for the word question

Idioms of the word question

beg the question
to make somebody want to ask a question that has not yet been answered
  • All of which begs the question as to who will fund the project.
to talk about something as if it were definitely true, even though it might not be
  • These assumptions beg the question that children learn languages more easily than adults.
good question!
(informal)used to show that you do not know the answer to a question
  • ‘How much is all this going to cost?’ ‘Good question!’
in question
that is being discussed
  • On the day in question we were in Cardiff.
in doubt; uncertain
  • The future of public transport is not in question.
  • His sincerity is not in question.
just/merely/only a question of (doing) something
used to say that something is not difficult to predict, explain, do, etc.
  • It's merely a question of time before the business collapses.
  • It's just a question of deciding what you really want.
  • Now it's just a question of getting the wording right.
a moot point/question
(British English, North American English)a matter about which there may be difference of opinion or a lack of understanding
  • Whether this should be enforced by law or not is a moot point.
a moot question/point
a matter about which there may be difference of opinion or a lack of understanding
  • Whether this should be enforced by law or not is a moot question.
out of the question
impossible or not allowed and therefore not worth discussing
  • Another trip abroad this year is out of the question.
pop the question
(informal)to ask somebody to marry you
    there is/was no question of something happening/of somebody doing something
    there is/was no possibility of something
    • There was no question of his/him cancelling the trip so near the departure date.

    Practice with vocabulary question

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The team leader posed a challenging ______ regarding the feasibility of the proposed solution.
    2. The long-term environmental impact remains a significant ______ for researchers.
    3. Following the incident, an internal ______ was launched to determine the cause.
    4. After much deliberation, the committee finally resolved the pressing ______ of budget allocation.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. During the Q&A session, an attendee raised a pertinent ______ about the project's scalability. a) query b) notion c) question d) point

    2. The ethical ______ of using AI in judicial decisions is currently under intense debate. a) predicament b) matter c) question d) dilemma

    3. To fully grasp the topic, students should try to formulate their own critical ______ about the readings. a) inquiries b) statements c) questions d) observations

    4. The spokesperson assured the public that all ______ regarding the company's data privacy policy would be addressed transparently. a) doubts b) apprehensions c) inquiries d) concerns

    5. Before making a final decision, the committee needs to delve deeper into the underlying ______ of the proposed budget cuts. a) implications b) issues c) repercussions d) ramifications

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: Throughout the cross-examination, the lawyer repeatedly asked for clarification from the witness. Rewrite using "question":

    2. Original: The viability of scaling up the experimental prototype to mass production is not yet confirmed. Rewrite using "question" or related word forms:

    3. Original: The management team needs to consider the intricate complexities of implementing the new regulation. Rewrite without using "question":

    Answer:

    Exercise 1:

    1. question
    2. question
    3. inquiry
    4. issue

    Exercise 2:

    1. a) query, c) question, d) point
    2. b) matter, c) question, d) dilemma
    3. c) questions
    4. c) inquiries, d) concerns
    5. a) implications, b) issues, c) repercussions, d) ramifications

    Exercise 3:

    1. Throughout the cross-examination, the lawyer repeatedly questioned the witness for clarification.
    2. The viability of scaling up the experimental prototype to mass production remains a significant question. (Alternatively: The viability of scaling up the experimental prototype to mass production is questionable.)
    3. The management team needs to address the intricate complexities of implementing the new regulation. (Alternatively: The management team needs to address the intricate issues of implementing the new regulation.)

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