poner en duda
verbCEFR B1
What does “poner en duda” mean in English?
to call into question, to cast doubt on
to call into question, to cast doubt on (poner en duda que + subjunctive)
Example sentences
Los nuevos datos ponen seriamente en duda que la teoría explique todos los casos observados.
The new data seriously calls into question whether the theory explains all the observed cases.
Su comportamiento durante la investigación ha puesto en duda la integridad del proceso.
Their behaviour during the investigation has called the integrity of the process into question.
No queremos poner en duda que vuestros datos sean correctos, pero necesitamos verificarlos de forma independiente.
We don't want to question whether your data is correct, but we need to verify it independently.
How to use it
Poner en duda means 'to call into question' or 'to cast doubt on'. As a multi-word verb phrase, it functions as a doubt trigger and takes que + subjunctive in a following clause: 'El informe pone en duda que el tratamiento sea eficaz'. Poner en duda can also take a direct object noun without a que-clause: 'Pone en duda la veracidad del informe'. Both constructions exist. This phrase is more formal and analytical than dudar and is common in academic, journalistic, and scientific discourse.
Common mistake
Poner en duda is a fixed multi-word expression — it cannot be separated: *'poner la veracidad en duda' is awkward and atypical in Spanish; instead say 'poner en duda la veracidad'. When a que-clause follows, subjunctive is required. When a noun phrase follows directly, no mood change is triggered.