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Prepositions with nouns

In question or of question?

The fixed expression is in question when you mean the specific person or thing being discussed. Of question is not a standard English combination.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use in question after a noun to mean “the one being discussed.” The phrase of question is not idiomatic in current English.

The document in question was missing a signature.
The employee in question has already replied.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
noun + in question

Referring to the exact thing being discussed

In question follows a noun and identifies the specific person, object, or issue under discussion.

The policy in question was revised last week.
The data in question came from a separate survey.
2
call into question + noun

Expressing doubt

Call into question means to challenge or doubt something.

The report may call into question the earlier results.
3
question about + topic

Asking for information

Use about after question when naming the topic of a question.

She asked a question about the budget during the meeting.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
in question
The contract in question expires next month.
Correct fixed expression meaning “the specific one being discussed.”
of question
The contract of question expires next month.
Nonstandard in this meaning.
question about
I have a question about taxes.
Used when the noun question introduces a topic.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of question as a fixed phrase

English uses in question, not of question, to identify the item being discussed.

✕ the person of question ✓ the person in question

Placing in question before the noun

The phrase usually comes after the noun it modifies.

✕ the in question report ✓ the report in question

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The file ___ was stored in a separate folder.
2. She asked a question ___ the new schedule.
3. The decision ___ may affect all employees.

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Frequently asked questions

What does in question mean?

It means the specific person or thing being discussed.

Is of question ever correct?

Not as a fixed expression with this meaning in standard English.

Can in question describe people?

Yes. You can say the employee in question or the student in question.

"in act" or "of act"? "in agreement" or "of agreement"? "in appearance" or "of appearance"? "in area" or "of area"? in, at, on, of or to hand? "in attempt" or "of attempt"? "in battle" or "of battle"? "in celebration", "of celebration" or "for celebration"? "in chain" or "of chain"? "in chapter" or "of chapter"? "in charge" or "of charge"? "in check" or "of check"?

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