put the question

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformal

   To ask people to vote on a proposal or motion in a formal meeting.

   Grammar: Used with 'to' before the group: put the question to the members. Often passive: the question was put to a vote.

   Patterns

   • put the question to someone
   • put the question to a vote

   The chair put the question to the committee, and the motion passed.

   After a long debate, they put the question to the members.

   The question was put to a vote at the end of the meeting.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseformal

   To ask a question, especially in a formal or public setting.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'to' and the person asked: She put the question to the witness.

   Patterns

   • put the question to someone

   The reporter put the question to the mayor during the press conference.

   He put the question to the expert panel, hoping for a clear answer.

   She put the question to her professor after class.

Common combinations

put the question to someone

The teacher put the question to the whole class.

put the question to a vote

The board decided to put the question to a vote.

put the question directly

He put the question directly to the manager.

put the question to the members

They put the question to the members at the annual meeting.

Synonyms and how they differ

ask

This is the general word for asking any question; 'put the question' is more formal and often suggests a formal setting or a vote.

pose

This means to ask a question in a formal way, often for discussion; it is close to 'put the question' but can sound slightly more deliberate.

query

This is formal and means to ask for information; it does not imply a vote, unlike 'put the question' in its main sense.

Commonly confused: put the question or ask the question?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “put the question”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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