I questioned him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I questioned him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of asking someone about something or seeking clarification from them. Example: "During the meeting, I questioned him about the project's timeline and deliverables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I questioned him a few times.

The New Yorker

"The deli?" I questioned him.

The New York Times

I questioned him about his emotions when playing Wagner.

The New York Times

Chichakli provided colorful and intriguing responses when I questioned him about the sanctions.

The New Yorker

He said he was reluctant to mention that the story had been assigned when I questioned him Monday.

The New York Times

"When he returned, I questioned him, thinking the cops were going to arrest him for spitting in the street.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

What am I prepared to spend on a suffering pet, and should I? Will I insult my fiancé if I question him about his savings or his debts?

The New York Times

Watch as I question him here: https://t.co/twNcwl91PR.

Huffington Post

Now, I may not be Moses, but I know He can handle it if I question him.

Huffington Post

And when I question him about his feelings on the Bass Coast community, "That's a tough one," he exclaims.

Vice

When I question him on this point, Fisher doubles down, insisting that all he was doing is "looking at numbers".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I questioned him" when you want to directly convey that you asked someone questions, especially in journalistic or narrative contexts. Ensure the context makes it clear what the questioning was about, either explicitly or implicitly.

Common error

Avoid using "I questioned him" without providing any context about the topic of the questioning. Without context, the phrase can feel incomplete and leave the reader wondering what was asked. Provide some details about the subject of your questions or the reason for questioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I questioned him" serves as a narrative device to introduce dialogue or reveal information gathered through inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. It establishes that the speaker engaged in a questioning process with the person referred to as "him".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I questioned him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that the speaker engaged in a questioning process. Ludwig AI analysis and the examples confirm its validity and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While neutral in tone, it is crucial to provide context about the subject of the questioning for clarity. Alternatives like "I asked him about it" or "I inquired of him" can be used to add nuance or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I asked him about it

Focuses on the topic of the questioning.

I inquired of him

Uses a more formal and less common verb for questioning.

I interviewed him

Suggests a more structured and formal questioning session.

I probed him with questions

Emphasizes a more intense and persistent questioning.

I pressed him for details

Highlights the persistence in seeking specific information.

I examined him

Implies a careful and thorough investigation through questioning.

I interrogated him

Suggests a formal and potentially adversarial questioning process.

I sought his perspective

Focuses on obtaining his point of view through questioning.

I picked his brain

An idiomatic expression for extracting information from someone.

I sounded him out

Suggests a cautious and indirect approach to questioning.

FAQs

What does "I questioned him" mean?

It means that the speaker asked someone (him) questions, often to gain information or clarify something.

What can I say instead of "I questioned him"?

You can use alternatives like "I asked him about it", "I inquired of him", or "I interviewed him" depending on the context.

Is "I questioned him" formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

How can I provide more context when using "I questioned him"?

Follow the phrase with a prepositional phrase specifying the topic, such as "I questioned him about his motives" or "I questioned him regarding the incident."