B2 Collocation Neutral 2 min de lectura

raise question

يثير سؤالاً

Use it when an event or statement makes people stop and consider a potential problem or mystery.

En 15 segundos

  • Used when a situation creates a new doubt or problem.
  • Common in professional, academic, and serious social contexts.
  • Focuses on the issue being brought to light.

Significado

When something happens or someone says something that makes you start thinking or worrying about a specific problem or doubt.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Discussing a new office policy

The new remote work policy raises a question about office space.

The new remote work policy raises a question about office space.

💼
2

Watching a confusing documentary

This documentary raises some serious questions about the government's role.

This documentary raises some serious questions about the government's role.

😊
3

In a formal board meeting

I would like to raise a question regarding the budget allocation.

I would like to raise a question regarding the budget allocation.

👔
🌍

Contexto cultural

The phrase stems from the idea of 'bringing up' a topic for discussion, much like raising a hand in a parliament or classroom. It reflects a Western cultural value of 'critical inquiry,' where questioning authority or a plan is seen as a constructive contribution rather than an insult.

💡

Make it plural for impact

If something is really suspicious, say it 'raises questions' (plural). It sounds much more serious than just one question.

⚠️

Don't say 'Ask a question' for situations

A situation cannot 'ask' a question because it doesn't have a mouth. Use 'raise' when the situation is the cause.

En 15 segundos

  • Used when a situation creates a new doubt or problem.
  • Common in professional, academic, and serious social contexts.
  • Focuses on the issue being brought to light.

What It Means

Think of raise a question as pointing a finger at a mystery. It is not always about asking a direct question with a question mark. Instead, it is about an event or a fact that makes people go, "Wait, what about this?" It brings a hidden issue into the light. It is like a red flag popping up in your brain.

How To Use It

You use this phrase when you notice something fishy or interesting. You can say a situation raises the question of something. You can also say a person raised a question during a talk. It usually takes an object, like raises a question about safety. It is a very active phrase. It makes you sound observant and smart.

When To Use It

Use it in a meeting when a plan seems risky. Use it with friends when a movie plot has a huge hole in it. It is perfect for news reports or academic writing too. If you see a cat wearing a tuxedo, that definitely raises some questions about its owner's hobbies. It works whenever a new fact creates a new doubt.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use it for simple, everyday requests. If you want to know the time, you don't raise a question about the time. You just ask the time. Raise a question is for bigger topics, doubts, or formal inquiries. Also, do not confuse it with begs the question. That is a different, more complex logic term that often confuses native speakers too!

Cultural Background

In English-speaking cultures, especially in the UK and US, raising a question is seen as a sign of critical thinking. It is encouraged in schools and workplaces. It shows you are paying attention to details. It has been used for centuries in legal and philosophical debates. Now, it is a staple of journalism and everyday professional talk.

Common Variations

You will often hear raises a number of questions or raises serious questions. If the issue is very obvious, people might say it raises the obvious question. Sometimes people use pose a question instead. Pose is a bit more formal, like a statue. Raise is more active, like lifting a heavy box into view.

Notas de uso

This is a highly versatile collocation. In professional settings, it is a polite way to be critical. In casual settings, it often carries a tone of suspicion or curiosity.

💡

Make it plural for impact

If something is really suspicious, say it 'raises questions' (plural). It sounds much more serious than just one question.

⚠️

Don't say 'Ask a question' for situations

A situation cannot 'ask' a question because it doesn't have a mouth. Use 'raise' when the situation is the cause.

💬

The 'Begs the Question' Trap

Many Americans say 'begs the question' when they mean 'raises the question'. You will sound more educated if you use 'raises' correctly!

Ejemplos

6
#1 Discussing a new office policy
💼

The new remote work policy raises a question about office space.

The new remote work policy raises a question about office space.

Used here to point out a logical consequence of a change.

#2 Watching a confusing documentary
😊

This documentary raises some serious questions about the government's role.

This documentary raises some serious questions about the government's role.

Expressing skepticism or concern after learning new facts.

#3 In a formal board meeting
👔

I would like to raise a question regarding the budget allocation.

I would like to raise a question regarding the budget allocation.

A polite way to introduce a concern in a formal setting.

#4 Texting a friend about a weird date
😊

He didn't bring his wallet, which raises a few questions...

He didn't bring his wallet, which raises a few questions...

Using the phrase to imply suspicion or 'red flags'.

#5 A humorous observation about a pet
😄

The fact that my dog knows how to open the fridge raises many questions.

The fact that my dog knows how to open the fridge raises many questions.

Hyperbole used for comedic effect regarding a strange situation.

#6 Discussing a broken relationship
💭

Her sudden departure raises questions about what really happened.

Her sudden departure raises questions about what really happened.

Reflecting on a sad or mysterious event.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct word to complete the professional observation.

The sudden drop in sales ___ a question about our marketing strategy.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: raises

We 'raise' questions when a situation makes us doubt something; we 'ask' people.

Complete the sentence to express suspicion.

His story doesn't match the evidence, which ___ serious questions.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: raises

The collocation 'raises questions' is the standard way to express that something is suspicious.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of 'Raise a Question'

Casual

Used with friends for gossip or weird news.

That guy's outfit raises questions.

Neutral

Standard use in news or work discussions.

The report raises a question about safety.

Formal

Used in debates or academic papers.

The findings raise a fundamental question of ethics.

When to Raise a Question

Raise a Question
💼

Business Meeting

Questioning a budget.

🎧

True Crime Podcast

Doubting an alibi.

🧪

Science Lab

Challenging a result.

💬

Friend Gossip

Suspecting a secret.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It means to bring up a topic or a doubt for consideration. For example, The error raises a question about our quality control.

Yes, it's common in casual texts to imply something is weird. You might text, His behavior lately raises some questions lol.

It is neutral to formal. It works perfectly in a business report but isn't too stiff for a conversation with friends.

You ask a person for an answer. A situation raises a question by making people think about it.

Yes, raise a doubt is very similar, but raise a question is more common when you want to discuss the issue.

Yes, pose a question is a more formal synonym. You might see it in academic writing like This study poses a question about climate change.

Just change 'raise' to 'raised'. For example, The meeting yesterday raised several questions about the merger.

Usually, yes. It often implies a problem, a mystery, or a discrepancy that needs to be solved.

Absolutely. A person can raise a question during a presentation to bring up a point for the group to talk about.

Common adjectives include serious, obvious, fundamental, and troubling. For example, This raises a serious question.

Frases relacionadas

Bring up

To mention a topic in conversation.

Call into question

To make something seem doubtful or wrong.

Pose a question

A more formal way to present a problem or inquiry.

Flag an issue

To draw attention to a specific problem.

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