a serious interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious interview" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an interview that is formal, important, or conducted with a significant purpose, often in a professional context. Example: "The company scheduled a serious interview for the position of senior manager, emphasizing the need for qualified candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And this is a serious interview about what the Saudis will do if we have to go to war.

The New York Times - Arts

But their plan of action to cover a serious interview for Skylark Tonight changes when the CIA asks them to kill Jong-un during their trip.

Independent

You could tell it was a serious interview, as it's a two‑parter, the second segment to be broadcast on Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

The hacker, whose name was not released after he turned himself in, studies in nearby Leeuwarden, and the mayor said he should come in for "a serious interview" once he has completed his studies.

The New York Times

I think of it as the constant sound of men talking at me and have increasingly taken to shouting at the radio when, and I can think of no better phrase, a serious interview descends to "willy-waving".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In this case, as it so happened, the other human being was the prime minister of Australia, who you had invited onto your radio show for a serious interview.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Among the unexpected items are a clip of a short-haired 22-year-old Zappa playing "Concerto for Two Bicycles" with a bemused Steve Allen and a quite serious interview with a uniformed Pennsylvania state trooper.

Los Angeles Times

("What effect did orthodontics have on nineteenth-century Romanticism?") Rand excelled at the Raz and advanced to a more serious interview — conducted under a highway bridge — before being confirmed for membership.

The New Yorker

At a talk with Joyce Carol Oates, radio host Michael Silverblatt – who hosts a long, serious interview show called Bookworm on KCRW – first dissed every interviewer who does not read the book before an interview, then mysteriously decided to talk about how photogenic Oates is.

The Guardian - Books

Sky News did a live link-up with the former Labour minister Michael Meacher and it was a big, serious interview.

The Guardian

I grabbed Ross Levinsohn after the advertising panel to conduct a very serious interview with the former president of Fox Interactive Media and now VC at Fuse Capital about how FIM is faring these days and the state of online advertising generally.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an interview, use "a serious interview" to convey that the discussion is not casual or light-hearted, but rather deals with important matters. For instance, when referring to a job interview for a high-level position, it's suitable to label it as "a serious interview".

Common error

Avoid using "a serious interview" to describe casual conversations or friendly chats. This phrase is best reserved for situations where formality and significance are implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious interview" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "interview". The structure implies that the interview has significant weight or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in describing formal discussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious interview" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a formal or significant discussion. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is well-understood and effective for conveying the importance of an interview. When writing, remember to reserve it for situations where the formality and weight of the conversation are clear. Alternatives like "an in-depth interview" or "a formal interview" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an in-depth interview

Emphasizes the level of detail and thoroughness in the interview process.

a formal interview

Highlights the structured and official nature of the interview.

a rigorous interview

Focuses on the demanding and challenging aspects of the interview.

a probing interview

Highlights the investigative and questioning nature of the interview.

an important interview

Stresses the significance and consequence of the interview.

a significant interview

Similar to "important interview", emphasizing the impact of the discussion.

a critical interview

Suggests the interview is crucial for making decisions or understanding a situation.

a substantive interview

Emphasizes the depth and meaningful content of the interview.

a weighty interview

Implies the interview covers important and serious topics.

a consequential interview

Focuses on the potential outcomes and effects of the interview.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious interview" in a sentence?

You can use "a serious interview" to describe a formal or significant discussion. For example: "The candidate prepared thoroughly for "a serious interview" with the CEO."

What is the difference between "a serious interview" and "a casual conversation"?

"A serious interview" implies a structured, formal discussion with important implications, while "a casual conversation" is a relaxed, informal exchange without specific objectives.

What can I say instead of "a serious interview"?

Alternatives include "an in-depth interview", "a formal interview", or "a probing interview" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a serious interview"?

It is appropriate in professional settings, academic discussions, or any situation where the interview's purpose is to address significant matters or make important decisions.