be under questioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be under questioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being interrogated or asked questions, often in legal or investigative situations. Example: "The suspect will be under questioning for several hours to gather more information about the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Democratic senator also forced Stumpf, who was under questioning from the Senate banking committee over his bank's handling of the scam, to admit that no senior executives have been held accountable for the actions of the low-level bankers.

Huffington Post

A local CBS station aired footage of what it said was Ryan Lanza being led away in handcuffs, though it stressed he was only under questioning.

Huffington Post

I'd been so taken with the program as a symbol of all the big dreams and little failures of the state, and with Justin's own personal reinvention-in-the-wild narrative that it was only under questioning from the craggy regulars at Zane's that it occurred to me to think about what I had really learned from my experience.

Vice

Mr. Brahim is being held for questioning under antiterrorist legislation and was brought to Madrid today.

The New York Times

But it was only under questioning that Mr. Humphrey revealed he had played a role, the authorities said.

The New York Times

He was accused of having a conflict of interest while acting as a competition judge for a government-backed cultural development project a decade ago, for which he is currently under questioning at a special legislative inquiry that will go on until after election day.

The New York Times

The Democratic inquisitors, too, showed themselves fully capable of deplorable tactics — as when Senator Howard Metzenbaum, late on the final night of hearings, went out of his way to try to put on the record an unsubstantiated smear against one witness, John Doggett, whose testimony had already been discredited under questioning by the committee's chairman, Senator Joseph Biden.

The New Yorker

The 10 who remain are now under questioning from Swiss police over their role in the awarding of the 2018 edition of Fifa's World Cup cash cow to Russia and the 2022 tournament to the gas-rich Gulf state of Qatar.

The Guardian - Sport

Guerra changes his story three times as evidence proves previous versions are false: Under questioning from Chevron, Guerra changed his story three times.

Huffington Post

On Tuesday, a day later after Matsuoka’s suicide, a former executive at J-Green who was under police questioning on suspicion of having been a central figure in the bid-rigging scheme, Shinichi Yamazaki, 76, leapt to his death from his sixth-floor apartment.

Forbes

The suspects, all aged 20 and 21, were being held for questioning on Wednesday under the Terrorism Act, which allows for detention without charge for up to 14 days.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be under questioning" when you want to emphasize that someone is currently in the process of being interrogated or questioned, especially in legal or investigative contexts. For example, "The witness will be under questioning for several hours."

Common error

Avoid using "be under questioning" in situations where a simple conversation or inquiry is taking place. This phrase suggests a formal or investigative context, not casual questioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be under questioning" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of being interrogated or formally questioned. While Ludwig doesn't provide specific examples, the structure implies an action being performed upon a subject.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be under questioning" is a verbal phrase used to describe a state of formal interrogation or questioning. Although Ludwig doesn't provide direct examples, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct. It's most appropriate for news, legal, and investigative contexts. Remember to use this phrase when describing a formal interrogation process, not a simple inquiry. Alternative phrases include ""be interrogated"" or "face questioning" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be interrogated

This phrase is a more direct synonym, often used in formal contexts like legal or police investigations.

be questioned

A more general term for asking questions, without necessarily implying suspicion or investigation.

be subject to interrogation

Emphasizes the process and formality of the questioning.

face questioning

Highlights the act of confronting or dealing with questions, often in a challenging situation.

be held for questioning

Specifically indicates detention for the purpose of asking questions, common in legal scenarios.

be in custody for questioning

Implies that someone is detained by law enforcement for the purpose of being asked questions.

be interviewed

A more neutral term implying a formal conversation to gather information.

be examined

Suggests a more thorough and probing line of inquiry.

be cross-examined

Refers to questioning by the opposing side in a legal setting.

be grilled

An informal term for intense and persistent questioning, often implying pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "be under questioning" in a sentence?

You can use "be under questioning" to describe someone being interrogated or formally questioned, especially in legal or investigative settings. For example: "The suspect will "be under questioning" for several hours."

What is a more formal way to say "be under questioning"?

A more formal way to say "be under questioning" is to use the term "be interrogated". This term is more precise and suitable for legal or official contexts.

Which is correct, "be under questioning" or "being questioned"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Be under questioning" suggests an ongoing state of interrogation, while "being questioned" simply describes the act of answering questions. For example, "He is "being questioned" by the police" is a general statement, whereas "He will "be under questioning" all day" suggests a longer, more intensive process.

What's the difference between "be under questioning" and "be under investigation"?

"Be under questioning" refers specifically to the act of being interrogated. "Be under investigation", in contrast, is a broader term indicating that someone is the subject of an inquiry or scrutiny, which may or may not involve direct questioning. Someone can "be under investigation" without necessarily "be under questioning".