I gave an interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I gave an interview" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of participating in an interview, typically for a job or media-related context. Example: "After I gave an interview for the position, I felt confident about my chances of getting hired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

On December 23rd, I gave an interview on the NBC program "NewsNewsNews.O QUESTIONNAIRE.

The New Yorker

And then, in 2009, I gave an interview to the The Sunday Times.

Independent

'On the eve of poll I gave an interview to Craig Brown.

The Guardian

My involvement in Enquirer began this summer, when I gave an interview to my friend, the journalist Paul Flynn, who had been commissioned by the NTS.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Dear Sir, just over two years ago, I gave an interview to two of your representatives on a promise of $2,000.

The Guardian

"When I was around 20 years old I gave an interview in France in which I said I was very passionate about the game and that when I lost that passion I would retire," he says.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

If I give an interview to a magazine they get something out of it, I get something out of it.

The Guardian

I give an interview from the boardroom on Friday to ITV, which is planning a hatchet job on our director of programmes about his salary.

The Guardian

Once, I even gave an interview, "Once a physicist," to the venerable Institute of Physics in London.

Huffington Post

That I gave an unauthorized interview, that's for lawyers to talk about.

The New York Times

Even though I was in London, every time I wrote an article or gave an interview about these things I would walk around for days feeling the weight of the Libyan regime's gaze at my back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I gave an interview" when you want to clearly state that you were the one being interviewed and provided information. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Be mindful not to use "I was given an interview" when you mean "I gave an interview". The former means someone gave you the opportunity to interview someone else, not that you were interviewed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I gave an interview" functions as a declarative statement, indicating that the speaker participated in an interview. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in various news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Formal & Business

0.33%

Science

0.33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I gave an interview" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates the speaker participated as the subject of an interview. According to Ludwig, it is widely accepted and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, but used especially in News & Media. Although seemingly simple, it's important to differentiate it from the passive form, "I was given an interview", to avoid confusion. Remember to adapt the phrasing based on the formality required and use more formal alternatives when needed, such as "I participated in an interview". The phrase appears in a variety of authoritative sources including The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I participated in an interview

Replaces "gave" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the act of taking part in the interview.

I was interviewed

Shifts the focus to being the recipient of the interview process.

I sat for an interview

Uses "sat for" to describe formally attending and completing an interview.

I underwent an interview

Emphasizes the experience of going through the interview process.

I did an interview

A more casual way of saying you completed an interview.

I provided an interview

Highlights the provision of information rather than the act of giving.

I offered an interview

Suggests offering your time and insights for an interview.

I granted an interview

Implies a more formal agreement or permission to be interviewed.

I presented for an interview

Focuses on the presentation aspect of attending an interview.

I attended an interview

Simply states the act of being present at an interview.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "I gave an interview"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "I participated in an interview" or "I was interviewed". These phrases are suitable for professional settings or academic writing.

What can I say instead of "I gave an interview" in casual conversation?

In a more casual context, you could say "I did an interview" or "I had an interview". These options are more conversational and relaxed.

Is it correct to say "I was given an interview"?

The phrase "I was given an interview" means that someone else allowed you to conduct the interview. If you were the one being interviewed, the correct phrase is "I gave an interview".

How does the context affect the choice of "I gave an interview" versus "I participated in an interview"?

The context determines the appropriate phrasing. "I gave an interview" is generally acceptable in most situations, while ""I participated in an interview"" is more formal and better suited for professional or academic environments.