question

Word family  noun question questioning questioner questionnaire adjective questionable ≠ unquestionable questioning ≠ unquestioning unquestioned verb question adverb unquestionably questioningly ≠ unquestioningly

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ques·tion1 /ˈkwestʃən/ ●●● S1 W1 noun  1  asking for information 询问信息ASK A QUESTION [countable] a sentence or phrase that is used to ask for information or to test someone’s knowledge 问题；疑问 OPP answer Can I ask you a question? 我能问你个问题吗？ I’m afraid I can’t answer that question. 我恐怕无法回答那个问题。question about/on They asked me quite a lot of difficult questions about my job. 他们就我的工作问了很多刁钻的问题。 The survey included questions on age and smoking habits. 调查中包含关于年龄和吸烟习惯的问题。in answer to somebody’s question In answer to your last question, ‘Yes’. 对于你最后一个问题，我的回答是“是的”。2  subject/problem 议题/问题SUBJECT [countable] a subject or problem that needs to be discussed or dealt with 〔需要讨论或处理的〕问题 SYN issuequestion of We discussed the question of confidentiality. 我们讨论了保密性的问题。 This raises the question of government funding. 这就引出了关于政府资金的问题。 an urgent need to address the question of crime 解决犯罪问题的迫切需要 Several questions have still not been resolved. 有几个问题仍然没有得到解决。 The question is should I take the job in Japan, or should I stay here? 问题是，我应该接受在日本的那份工作，还是应该留在这儿？ Some important questions remain unanswered (=still have not been dealt with or explained). 一些重要问题依然没有解决。3  doubt 疑问DON'T THINK SO/DOUBT IT [countable, uncountable] if there is some question about something, there is doubt about it, or people feel uncertain about it 疑问，怀疑 The exact cause of death is still open to question (=not certain). 确切的死亡原因依然没有确定。call/bring/throw something into question (=make people doubt something) 引起对某事的怀疑 This has called into question people’s right to retire at 60. 这就对人们在60岁退休的权利提出了质疑。 He’s by far the best candidate, there’s no question about it (=it is completely certain). 他是到目前为止最合适的人选，这是毫无疑问的。 There is no question that (=it is completely certain that) the government knew about the deal. 毫无疑问，政府是知道这笔交易的。beyond question (=completely certain or definite) 不容怀疑 Her efficiency and intelligence are beyond question. 她的效率和智慧是不容怀疑的。questions about/over something There are questions about the system’s practicality. 对于系统的可行性尚有疑问。4  without question a) CERTAINLY/DEFINITELYused to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct 毫无疑问 Marilyn was, without question, a very beautiful woman. 玛丽莲毫无疑问是个大美人。 b) OBEYif you accept or obey something without question, you do it without expressing any doubt about whether it is correct or necessary 毫无异议地〔接受或服从〕 Clara accepted his decision without question. 克拉拉毫无异议地接受了他的决定。5  there is no question of something happening/somebody doing something IMPOSSIBLEused to say that there is no possibility of something happening 某事是不可能发生的/某人是不可能做某事的 There is no question of the project being postponed. 这个项目不可能推迟。6  in question SUBJECT a) the things, people etc in question are the ones that are being discussed 正被讨论的，谈论中的 Where were you during the evening in question? 所说的那天晚上你在哪儿？ b) if something is in question, there is doubt about it 有疑问的，被怀疑的 I’m afraid his honesty is now in question. 恐怕他的诚信现在令人怀疑了。7  be a question of something MAINused to say what the most important fact, part, or feature of something is 问题在于，是一个…的问题 Dance is a question of control and creative expression. 舞蹈就是一个控制形体和创造性表达的问题。 I would love to come, but it’s a question of time. 我倒是想来，但问题是要看有没有时间。8  it’s just/only/simply a question of doing something spokenEASY used to say that what needs doing is easy or not complicated 只是个…的问题 It’s just a question of putting in a couple of screws. 只要拧上几颗螺丝钉就行了。9  be out of the question IMPOSSIBLEif something is out of the question, it is definitely not possible or not allowed 不可能；不允许 You can’t go in that old shirt – it’s out of the question. 你不能穿着那件旧衬衫去——这绝对不行。10  (that’s a) good question! spokenNOT KNOW used to admit that you do not know the answer to a question 好一个难题！问得好！〔用以表示不知道某问题的答案〕 ‘How can we afford this?’ ‘Good question!’ “我们如何能负担得起这个呢？”“问得好！”11. pop the question informalMARRY to ask someone to marry you – used humorously 求婚〔幽默用法〕 → leading question at leading1(4), → rhetorical question at rhetorical(1), → beg the question at beg(6) COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a sentence or phrase that is used to ask for information or to test someone’s knowledge 问题；疑问verbsask (somebody) a question 问(某人)问题Don’t be afraid to ask questions. 别害怕提问。have a question (=want to ask a question) 有问题I just have one question: is the treatment effective? 我只有一个问题：这疗法有效吗？pose a question formal (=ask a question) 提出问题He poses the question, ‘What should we teach our children?’ 他提出了一个问题:“我们该教孩子什么？”put a question to somebody (=ask a question in a formal situation) 〔在正式场合〕向某人提问I recently put some of these questions to a psychologist. 最近我向一位心理学家请教了这其中的一些问题。answer a question 回答问题You haven’t answered my question. 你还没有回答我的问题。avoid/evade/dodge a question (=not give a direct answer) 避开/回避问题nHe had skilfully evaded Margie’s questions.nset a question (=invent a question for a test)He used to set the questions for a TV quiz show.rephrase a question (=ask it in a different way) 用另一种方式提出问题nHe didn’t answer, so I rephrased my question.bombard somebody with questions (=ask someone a lot of questions) 向某人连珠炮似的提问nThey bombarded him with questions about the case.nfield questions (=answer a lot of questions)He fielded questions from reporters about the announcement.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + questiondifficult/hard 难的Some of the questions in the last section were very difficult. 最后一部分有些问题很难。easy 容易的These questions should be easy for you. 这些问题对你来说应该很容易。a good question (=interesting or difficult to answer) 好问题That’s a good question. 问得好。a stupid/silly question (=one whose answer is obvious) 愚蠢的问题Did you win, or is that a stupid question? 你赢了吗？这问题是不是很蠢？an awkward question (=one that someone does not want to answer) 尴尬的问题How can we keep the press from asking awkward questions? 我们如何才能不让媒体问尴尬的问题？a tricky/tough question (=one that is difficult to answer) 难以回答的问题That’s a really tricky question. 那是个很难回答的问题。nan embarrassing questionThe media began to ask embarrassing questions about MPs' expenses.a personal question (=one relating to someone’s private life) 私人问题Can I ask you a personal question? 我能问你一个私人问题吗？a simple question (=one that is easy to answer) 简单的问题nAll you have to do is answer the three simple questions below.na searching/probing question (=one designed to find things out)The immigration officer asked me some searching questions.a direct question (=one that asks for information in a very direct way) 直截了当的问题nShe was startled by the direct question.an exam/a test question 考题nYou have to answer twenty exam questions.nan impertinent question (=one which you have no right to ask)She did not answer the maid’s impertinent question.a rhetorical question (=one that you ask without expecting an answer, in order to make a point) 反问na multiple choice question (=where you are given a set of possible answers)n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a subject or problem that needs to be discussed or dealt with 〔需要讨论或处理的〕问题verbsraise a question (=bring it to people’s attention)This study raises several important questions.address a question (=start trying to deal with it)Two questions need to be addressed.discuss a questionThey discussed the question of the possible use of the atomic bomb.consider a questionWe must also consider the question of compensation.deal with a questionThis question will be dealt with in Chapter 4.tackle a question (=try to deal with a difficult question )Who has the ability to tackle the tough questions facing the nation?resolve a question (=deal with it in a satisfactory way)We will proceed just as soon as we can resolve the question of the fee.adjectivesan important/big questionThe book raises important questions about nationality and the role of a citizen.a fundamental questionTheir experiences have highlighted fundamental questions of human rights.serious questionsThe incident has raised serious questions about police conduct.a vexed/thorny question (=one that is hard to deal with)Finally, there’s the thorny question of money.a burning question (=an important one that needs dealing with)Little progress was made on the burning question of Africa’s debt.a moral/ethical question (=one relating to principles of what is right and wrong)This area of medical research poses serious ethical questions that doctors alone cannot answer.unanswered/open (=not dealt with)At this point a key question remains unanswered. THESAURUS – Meaning 1: a sentence or phrase that is used to ask for information or to test someone’s knowledge 问题；疑问question something that you ask someone, either when speaking or when writing 问题Would anyone like to ask any questions? 有没有人提问？I’ve emailed the hotel with one or two questions. 我已写电子邮件向那家酒店咨询了一两个问题。query /ˈkwɪəri $ ˈkwɪri/ especially British English a question that you ask when you are not sure you have understood something or that the information you have is correct 疑问；询问If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent. 如有疑问，请联系旅行社。Our staff are always available to answer customers’ queries. 我们的员工随时可以回答客户的问询。inquiry (also enquiry especially British English) /ɪnˈkwaɪəri $ ɪnˈkwaɪri, ˈɪŋkwəri/ a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something 询问；查问We’ve advertised the house, and we’ve already received lots of enquiries. 我们给房子登了广告，已经有很多人来咨询。The police have been making some inquiries in the area. 警方一直在那个地区调查。request a polite or formal question asking for something that you want or need 请求The bank said ‘no’ to our request for more money. 银行拒绝了我们继续贷款的请求。You must make your request in writing. 必须以书面形式提出请求。 COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: if there is some question about something, there is doubt about it, or people feel uncertain about it 疑问，怀疑phrasesnbe open to question (=not be certain or definitely true)Whether he will survive politically is open to question.nbe beyond question (=be definite)Her loyalty is beyond question.call/bring/throw something into question (=make people doubt it) 引起对某事的怀疑nHe brought into question all the principles on which the Soviet system was based.ncome into question (=start to be doubted)The special protection given to these animals has come into question in recent years.nthere’s no question (=it is certain)There’s no question that they have done an outstanding job.

Examples from the Corpus

question• Eventually his questioners realized he was not the man they wanted and let him go.• Jim Lehrer was the only questioner of the candidates in the debate.• It is all a question of time.• Are you getting paid to ask questions or unload trucks?• These operations can save lives, but they raise difficult questions about animal rights.• That's a very difficult question to answer.• Last fall, questions were raised about the purchase of a $ 9. 2 million worth of fencing.• Mr Hayes is being kept at Newham police station for questioning.• Does anyone have any further questions?• How can we best help less developed countries? That's the really important question.• I hate it when strangers ask me questions about my private life.• One more question you might ask yourself is: Is it Worth the Fight?• Recent literature on public opinion has managed to shed fascinating new light on that age-old question.• The real question here is how can we integrate asylum seekers into communities.• The lawyer's questioning of the witness did not go on as long as expected.• There were several questions Melanie wanted to ask the interviewer.• Several questions had still not been resolved.• In the 1980s the question of whether photography was an art went to court.• She answered the questions in her interrogation with perfect candour, but her answers had the effect of crystallising her basic thinking.• Beyond the question of weight loss, olestra raises some messy health issues.• Gorbachev wrote that only he and Reagan, talking together, could resolve the questions he raised.question about/on• This is a question on which I do not vet have a view.• Inevitably this raises a question about the logical structure of existential propositions in general.• And that presents a big problem for Gilbert town officials who field constant questions about voting, emergency services and insurance.• Initially, he had bucked against her restraints, often asking her direct questions about her previous life, about his father.• The White House sidestepped questions about linking the gas tax repeal with the minimum wage.• Ask one of the residents to devise the questions on perhaps a different theme each week.• Once the question of who has been resolved, we can explore more of the questions about how.question of• Congress has been discussing the question of term limits.open to question• It is certainly open to question.• It is in fact open to question whether it should be allowed at all, at least in certain types of cases.• It also is open to question how well equipped courts are to make this kind of determination-about the workings of economic markets.• But whether Republicans want to cooperate is open to question.• But how much longer he can survive as a credible force is open to question.• Whether the promises will be kept is open to question.• The entire business of basing regulations on animal tests is open to question.• Whether the yeast could ever be as abundant as this is open to question.• Nevertheless, it is still open to question whether these arrangements are an adequate substitute for parliamentary scrutiny.

Related topics: Police

question2 ●●● S2 W3 verb [transitive]  1  SCPASK A QUESTIONto ask someone questions in order to get information about something such as a crime 询问；盘问；审问 → interrogate Two men have been arrested and questioned. 已有两名男子被捕并受到盘问。question somebody about something She hates being questioned about her past. 她讨厌被人问起她的过去。 Joseph questioned the doctors closely (=asked them a lot of questions). 约瑟夫问了医生很多问题。► see thesaurus at ask2  DON'T THINK SO/DOUBT ITto have or express doubts about whether something is true, good, necessary etc 怀疑；对…提出质疑[异议]question what/how/when etc Are you questioning what I’m saying? 你是在怀疑我说的话吗？ No one dared to question his decisions. 没人敢质疑他的决定。question whether One questions whether he’s telling the truth. 你会怀疑他是不是在讲真话。 THESAURUSquestion to ask someone questions in order to get information about something such as a crime 询问；盘问；审问nThe police questioned him for three hours before releasing him without charge.nWhen questioned by reporters, he denied all knowledge about the affair.ninterrogate to keep asking a lot of questions for a long time, sometimes using threats, in order to get informationHe was interrogated by US agents about his alleged links to al-Qaeda. ninterview to ask someone questions for a newspaper, TV programme etc, or to ask someone questions to find out if they are suitable for a job, course etcDid you hear him being interviewed on ‘the Today Programme’?The woman who interviewed me offered me the job.ngrill informal to ask someone a lot of difficult questions about something, in a way that is tiring or annoyingShe started grilling me about why I was so late coming home.ncross-examine to ask someone a series of questions in court about their previous statements, in order to find out whether they have been telling the truthThe defence lawyer cross-examined the witness in order to test his evidence.nbe helping police with their inquiries British English to be questioned by the police about a crime – used especially in news reports when the police think that this person may be guilty of the crimeLast night, a 21-year-old woman was helping police with their inquiries.→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

question• His leadership and integrity are being questioned.• They were stopped and questioned by the police, who thought they were the real thing.• They questioned her for three hours before releasing her.• We all wondered where Sylvia got the money, but no one dared question her.• What is happening to me? she questioned herself in dismay.• Roughly 1000 people were questioned in the November poll.• The lawyer questioned me about how money was transmitted to Mexico.• Liz was very well informed and questioned me about the political situation in Africa.• The interviewer questioned Miss Jarvis closely about her computer experience.• From a historical standpoint, no one can question the Huskers' right to be called a great team.• After questioning the suspect closely, investigators decided he was not a part of the drug operation.• I have had many letters asking for advice and questioning the use of bark and shavings because of coral spot fungus appearing.• His sin, anticipating Keynes, was to question the value of limitless saving.• But Justice Stanley Mosk questioned whether minors are, indeed, entitled to the same privacy rights as adults.question somebody about something• Byner was questioned by police about the photograph.question what/how/when etc• I followed his commands with blind obedience, never bothering to question what his purpose might have been.• She doesn't question what I do or decide.• Schwarz and Volgy question what it really means to live on the economy budget.• I never thought there was a question how low a strike zone is.• And her mind didn't question how she had got into this situation but how she was going to get out of it.• They 223 question what they read, all the while making and negotiating meaning.• Both chamberlain and clerk accepted it without question when they were dismissed from attendance.• Sierra Leone's press ridicules the peacekeepers as cowards, and questions what use they are.From Longman Business Dictionaryquestionques‧tion1 /ˈkwestʃən/ noun [countable]1a sentence or phrase that asks for informationThey asked me a lot of questions about my work experience.Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.2a subject or problem that needs to be settled, discussed, or dealt withThe real question is whether the employee has any power over customers.question ofThis whole question of measuring risk has became a mess.3a feeling of doubt about somethingThis incident raises further questions about airport security.He is by far the best candidate. There is no question about it.The wisdom of this policy is open to question (=it will be doubted by some people).4in question the things, people etc in question are the ones that are being discussed or talked aboutIs the information in question really a business secret?5out of the question not possible or allowedThe idea of merging with another company was now out of the question.questionquestion2 verb [transitive]1to ask someone questions to find out what they know about somethingNone of the defendants was questioned by the police before their arrest.question somebody about somethingWe have questioned many of our customers about the new services.2to have doubts about whether something is true or if it is the right thing to doThe report questioned ISC’s heavy reliance on three international customers.→ See Verb tableOrigin question1 (1200-1300) Old French Latin quaestio, from quaestus, past participle of quaerere “to ask”

ques·tion1 noun →COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2
→COLLOCATIONS3 →THESAURUS1question2 verb →THESAURUS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

for ask is sentence Corpus phrase to that a Business or used

question

I

ques‧tion¹ S1 W1 /ˈkwestʃən/ noun1.  ASKING FOR INFORMATION  [countable] a sentence or phrase that is used to ask for information or to test someone’s knowledge
   OPP  answer:
    Can I ask you a question?
    I’m afraid I can’t answer that question.
    question about/on
    They asked me quite a lot of difficult questions about my job.
    The survey included questions on age and smoking habits.
    in answer to sb’s question
    In answer to your last question, ‘Yes’.
2.  SUBJECT/PROBLEM  [countable] a subject or problem that needs to be discussed or dealt with
   SYN  issue
    question of
    We discussed the question of confidentiality.
    This raises the question of government funding.
    an urgent need to address the question of crime
    Several questions have still not been resolved.
    The question is should I take the job in Japan, or should I stay here?
    Some important questions remain unanswered (=still have not been dealt with or explained).
3.  DOUBT  [uncountable and countable] if there is some question about something, there is doubt about it, or people feel uncertain about it:
    The exact cause of death is still open to question (=not certain).
    call/bring/throw something into question (=make people doubt something)
    This has called into question people’s right to retire at 60.
    He’s by far the best candidate, there’s no question about it (=it is completely certain).
    There is no question that (=it is completely certain that) the government knew about the deal.
    beyond question (=completely certain or definite)
    Her efficiency and intelligence are beyond question.
    questions about/over something
    There are questions about the system’s practicality.
4. without question
  a. used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct:
    Marilyn was, without question, a very beautiful woman.
  b. if you accept or obey something without question, you do it without expressing any doubt about whether it is correct or necessary:
    Clara accepted his decision without question.
5. there is no question of something happening/somebody doing something used to say that there is no possibility of something happening:
    There is no question of the project being postponed.
6. in question
  a. the things, people etc in question are the ones that are being discussed:
    Where were you during the evening in question?
  b. if something is in question, there is doubt about it:
    I’m afraid his honesty is now in question.
7. be a question of something used to say what the most important fact, part, or feature of something is:
    Dance is a question of control and creative expression.
    I would love to come, but it’s a question of time.
8. it’s just/only/simply a question of doing something spoken used to say that what needs doing is easy or not complicated:
    It’s just a question of putting in a couple of screws.
9. be out of the question if something is out of the question, it is definitely not possible or not allowed:
    You can’t go in that old shirt – it’s out of the question.
10. (that’s a) good question__ spoken used to admit that you do not know the answer to a question:
    ‘How can we afford this?’ ‘Good question__’
11. pop the question informal to ask someone to marry you – used humorously
⇨ leading question at leading¹(4), ⇨ rhetorical question at rhetorical(1), ⇨ beg the question at beg(6)
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1)

■ verbs
   ▪ ask (somebody) a question Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
   ▪ have a question (=want to ask a question) I just have one question: is the treatment effective?
   ▪ pose a question formal (=ask a question) He poses the question, ‘What should we teach our children?’
   ▪ put a question to somebody (=ask a question in a formal situation) I recently put some of these questions to a psychologist.
   ▪ answer a question You haven’t answered my question.
   ▪ avoid/evade/dodge a question (=not give a direct answer) He had skilfully evaded Margie’s questions.
   ▪ set a question (=invent a question for a test) He used to set the questions for a TV quiz show.
   ▪ rephrase a question (=ask it in a different way) He didn’t answer, so I rephrased my question.
   ▪ bombard somebody with questions (=ask someone a lot of questions) They bombarded him with questions about the case.
   ▪ field questions (=answer a lot of questions) He fielded questions from reporters about the announcement.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + question
   ▪ difficult/hard Some of the questions in the last section were very difficult.
   ▪ easy These questions should be easy for you.
   ▪ a good question (=interesting or difficult to answer) That’s a good question.
   ▪ a stupid/silly question (=one whose answer is obvious) Did you win, or is that a stupid question?
   ▪ an awkward question (=one that someone does not want to answer) How can we keep the press from asking awkward questions?
   ▪ a tricky/tough question (=one that is difficult to answer) That’s a really tricky question.
   ▪ an embarrassing question The media began to ask embarrassing questions about MPs' expenses.
   ▪ a personal question (=a question relating to someone’s private life) Can I ask you a personal question?
   ▪ a simple question (=one that is easy to answer) All you have to do is answer the three simple questions below.
   ▪ a searching/probing question (=one designed to find things out) The immigration officer asked me some searching questions.
   ▪ a direct question (=one that asks for information in a very direct way) She was startled by the direct question.
   ▪ an exam/a test question You have to answer twenty exam questions.
   ▪ an impertinent question (=one which you have no right to ask) She did not answer the maid’s impertinent question.
   ▪ a rhetorical question (=a question you ask without expecting an answer, in order to make a point)
   ▪ a multiple choice question (=where you are given a set of possible answers)
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ verbs
   ▪ raise a question (=bring it to people’s attention) This study raises several important questions.
   ▪ address a question (=start trying to deal with it) Two questions need to be addressed.
   ▪ discuss a question They discussed the question of the possible use of the atomic bomb.
   ▪ consider a question We must also consider the question of compensation.
   ▪ deal with a question This question will be dealt with in Chapter 4.
   ▪ tackle a question (=try to deal with a difficult question ) Who has the ability to tackle the tough questions facing the nation?
   ▪ resolve a question (=deal with it in a satisfactory way) We will proceed just as soon as we can resolve the question of the fee.
■ adjectives
   ▪ an important/big question The book raises important questions about nationality and the role of a citizen.
   ▪ a fundamental question Their experiences have highlighted fundamental questions of human rights.
   ▪ serious questions The incident has raised serious questions about police conduct.
   ▪ a vexed/thorny question (=one that is hard to deal with) Finally, there’s the thorny question of money.
   ▪ a burning question (=an important one that needs dealing with) Little progress was made on the burning question of Africa’s debt.
   ▪ a moral/ethical question (=one relating to principles of what is right and wrong) This area of medical research poses serious ethical questions that doctors alone cannot answer.
   ▪ unanswered/open (=not dealt with) At this point a key question remains unanswered.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 3)

■ phrases
   ▪ be open to question (=not be certain or definitely true) Whether he will survive politically is open to question.
   ▪ be beyond question (=be definite) Her loyalty is beyond question.
   ▪ call/bring/throw something into question (=make people doubt it) He brought into question all the principles on which the Soviet system was based.
   ▪ come into question (=start to be doubted) The special protection given to these animals has come into question in recent years.
   ▪ there’s no question (=it is certain) There’s no question that they have done an outstanding job.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ question something that you ask someone, either when speaking or when writing: Would anyone like to ask any questions? | I’ve emailed the hotel with one or two questions.
   ▪ query /ˈkwɪəri $ ˈkwɪri/ especially British English a question that you ask when you are not sure you have understood something or that the information you have is correct: If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent. | Our staff are always available to answer customers’ queries.
   ▪ inquiry (also enquiry especially British English) /ɪnˈkwaɪəri $ ɪnˈkwaɪri, ˈɪŋkwəri/ a question you ask in order to get information or find out the details about something: We’ve advertised the house, and we’ve already received lots of enquiries. | The police have been making some inquiries in the area.
   ▪ request a polite or formal question asking for something that you want or need: The bank said ‘no’ to our request for more money. | You must make your request in writing.

II

question² S2 W3 verb [transitive]1. to ask someone questions in order to get information about something such as a crime ⇨ interrogate:
    Two men have been arrested and questioned.
    question somebody about something
    She hates being questioned about her past.
    Joseph questioned the doctors closely (=asked them a lot of questions).
2. to have or express doubts about whether something is true, good, necessary etc
    question what/how/when etc
    Are you questioning what I’m saying?
    No one dared to question his decisions.
    question whether
    One questions whether he’s telling the truth.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ question to ask someone questions in order to get information about something such as a crime: The police questioned him for three hours before releasing him without charge. | When questioned by reporters, he denied all knowledge about the affair.
   ▪ interrogate to keep asking a lot of questions for a long time, sometimes using threats, in order to get information: He was interrogated by US agents about his alleged links to al-Qaeda.
   ▪ interview to ask someone questions for a newspaper, TV programme etc, or to ask someone questions to find out if they are suitable for a job, course etc: Did you hear him being interviewed on ‘the Today Programme’? | The woman who interviewed me offered me the job.
   ▪ grill informal to ask someone a lot of difficult questions about something, in a way that is tiring or annoying: She started grilling me about why I was so late coming home.
   ▪ cross-examine to ask someone a series of questions in court about their previous statements, in order to find out whether they have been telling the truth: The defence lawyer cross-examined the witness in order to test his evidence.
   ▪ be helping police with their inquiries British English to be questioned by the police about a crime – used especially in news reports when the police think that this person may be guilty of the crime: Last night, a 21-year-old woman was helping police with their inquiries.