“call…in question”是一个核心英语短语,核心含义是“对……提出质疑;怀疑……的真实性、有效性或可靠性”,强调对原本被认为“正确/可信”的人、事、观点发起挑战。
字面可拆解为“将……置于‘疑问’的状态”,实际表达“不认可某事物的合理性,认为其需要被重新审视”。
短语为“及物动词短语”,需带宾语(被质疑的对象),结构为:
注:宾语可以是名词、代词,或抽象概念(如诚实、能力、结果等)。
1、 质疑“事物的真实性/可靠性”
The data from the experiment was so flawed that researchers called it in question.
(实验数据漏洞百出,研究人员对其提出了质疑。)
The validity of the new policy has been called in question by economists.
(经济学家对新政策的有效性提出了质疑。)
2、 质疑“人的品质/能力”
His honesty was called in question after he was caught lying.
(他撒谎被抓后,其诚实度受到了质疑。)
The CEO’s leadership skills were called in question following the company’s financial loss.
(公司亏损后,CEO的领导能力受到了质疑。)
3、 被动语态(更常用)
由于“质疑”的对象常是“被质疑的一方”,因此被动语态“be called in question”更常见:
The accuracy of the report is being called in question by experts.
(专家们正在质疑这份报告的准确性。)
Her credentials as a doctor were called in question after a malpractice lawsuit.
(一起医疗事故诉讼后,她的医生资质受到了质疑。)
call…in question vs. bring…into question:
两者含义高度相似(均表示“质疑”),但call…in question更强调“主动发起质疑的动作”,而bring…into question更强调“使……陷入被质疑的状态”(结果导向)。
例:
The scandal called his reputation in question.(丑闻主动质疑了他的名声。)
The scandal brought his reputation into question.(丑闻使他的名声陷入质疑。)
“call…in question”是表达“质疑”的正式短语,适用于需要严谨表达“不认可某事物的合理性”的场景(如学术、职场、新闻等)。记住核心逻辑:将“原本可信的事物”推入“疑问”的境地。