questions

A question is a linguistic expression designed to elicit information, confirmation, or reflection. In most contexts, a question invites an answer or response, though some forms, called rhetorical questions, are posed to provoke thought rather than to obtain information. Questions are central to inquiry, dialogue, and decision making, serving both practical and intellectual purposes.

Questions can be categorized by form and function. Closed-ended questions seek specific, often short answers such as yes or no or a choice from a limited set. Open-ended questions invite elaboration and discussion. Wh- questions (who, what, where, when, why, how) are common in many languages and are used to obtain detailed information. Other types include leading questions, hypothetical questions, and self-referential or reflective questions.

In everyday use, questions structure conversation, guide learning, and support problem solving. In education, asking questions promotes critical thinking and assessment. In research and journalism, carefully crafted questions help gather reliable data and diverse perspectives. Philosophically, questions are tools for examination, doubt, and the exploration of knowledge, often examined in debates about certainty, justification, and meaning. The practice of questioning also underpins surveys and questionnaires, where question design aims to minimize bias and maximize clarity and comparability.

Constructing effective questions involves considering audience, clarity, scope, and purpose. Punctuation and intonation can influence interpretation, and different languages encode questions through grammar or particles. Overall, questions are fundamental instruments for seeking information, testing ideas, and shaping understanding across disciplines and daily life.