question about + topic
Asking about a subject
Use about for the topic being discussed or doubted.
Students questioned the speaker about climate policy.
Question by, in, or about?
Question commonly takes about to introduce a topic. By and in usually belong to other parts of the sentence rather than forming fixed combinations with the verb.
Quick answer
Using question correctly
Use question about something to show the topic being asked or doubted. Question by and question in are not standard fixed combinations after the verb, although by and in can appear in the sentence for other reasons.
The journalist questioned her about the report.
The witness was questioned by the police.
They questioned the claim in court.
The witness was questioned by the police.
They questioned the claim in court.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
question + noun
Challenging an idea directly
Question can take a direct object without a preposition.
Many voters questioned the decision.
questioned by + person
Showing who asked the questions
By is common in passive structures.
The suspect was questioned by investigators.
question in + place/context
Adding context or location
In introduces the setting where questioning happened.
The issue was questioned in parliament.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
question about
Reporters questioned him about the missing files.
asked or challenged him on a topic
question by
The manager was questioned by the media.
by introduces the agent in a passive sentence
question in
The proposal was questioned in court.
in introduces a place or context
question + noun
I question his motives.
directly doubt or challenge something
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Adding an unnecessary preposition
Question often takes a direct object without about.
✕ I questioned about his story. ✓ I questioned his story.Using by as a fixed complement
By usually belongs to passive voice structures.
✕ They questioned by the budget. ✓ They questioned the budget.Confusing place with topic
In gives context, while about gives the topic.
✕ She questioned him in the delays. ✓ She questioned him about the delays.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The committee questioned the minister ___ public spending.
2. The witness was questioned ___ two officers.
3. The policy was questioned ___ court last year.
Check your sentence in context
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Free to try · No signup required
Frequently asked questions
Can question be used without a preposition?
Yes. You can say question a decision or question someone's motives.
Is question by correct?
Only in structures like questioned by the police, where by introduces the agent.
What is the difference between question about and question in?
About introduces the topic, while in usually introduces a place or context.
Related preposition guides
Write with confidence in Linguix
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
