beginning to interrogate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beginning to interrogate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the initial stages of questioning or probing someone for information. Example: "The detective was beginning to interrogate the suspect about his whereabouts on the night of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. Rumsfeld said that American officials had recently finished questioning the prisoners for intelligence and were beginning to interrogate them for law enforcement purposes.

The New York Times

Sometime that night, as Stanton was beginning to interrogate witnesses to the shooting, one of his generals appeared on the steps of the Petersen house and called out for someone who could write shorthand.

The New Yorker

Finally, we are beginning to interrogate those marketing messages that have told us that in order to be beautiful and have value in this world, we have to be impossibly thin.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Soon he begins to interrogate himself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The collections lawyer then began to interrogate Mr. Hoyte.

The New York Times

His face wet, he began to interrogate the accusing council member, who now looked sheepish.

The New Yorker

Aref and the other man began to interrogate Karzai, asking about alliances against Rabbani.

The New Yorker

— when the speaker began to interrogate the image of the butt, which, under sharp questioning, wouldn't give anything away.

The New Yorker

US forces have begun to interrogate General Amir al-Saadi, the head of Iraq's weapons programme, who surrendered last weekend.

The Guardian

This month, a group of men spotted the couple riding together in a car, yanked them into the road and began to interrogate the boy and girl.

The New York Times

While visiting Damascus, she was sitting in the back seat of a taxi as the driver began to interrogate her daughter, a four-year-old.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context; "beginning to interrogate" can sound formal or even aggressive. Alternatives like "starting to question" may be more appropriate in less formal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "beginning to interrogate" in casual conversations or informal writing. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler phrases like "starting to ask".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beginning to interrogate" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to describe the initiation of a questioning process. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in English writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "beginning to interrogate" is a grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe the initial stage of a detailed questioning or investigation. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it is relatively rare and leans towards a neutral to formal register. Its primary function is to convey the start of probing for information in a structured manner, as seen in news and media or academic contexts. When writing, remember that using simpler alternatives like "starting to question" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting to question

Focuses on the initiation of questioning, similar to interrogating.

commencing to question

More formal alternative, emphasizing the start of questioning.

starting to probe

Implies a more investigative approach to questioning.

initiating interrogation

More formal and direct alternative.

starting to examine

Broader term, suggesting a general investigation.

beginning to investigate

Similar to examine, but implies a more in-depth inquiry.

starting to scrutinize

Suggests a critical and detailed examination.

commencing inquiry

Formal and concise alternative, focusing on the start of the inquiry.

starting to analyze

Focuses on a systematic analysis, rather than direct questioning.

beginning to assess

Implies evaluating or judging something, differing from direct interrogation.

FAQs

How can I use "beginning to interrogate" in a sentence?

You can use "beginning to interrogate" to describe the initial stages of a formal questioning process, such as "The detective was "beginning to interrogate" the suspect."

What are some alternatives to "beginning to interrogate"?

Alternatives include "starting to question", "commencing to question", or "starting to probe", depending on the level of formality and intensity you want to convey.

Is "beginning to interrogate" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "beginning to interrogate" is generally too formal for casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "starting to ask questions" are more suitable.

What's the difference between "beginning to interrogate" and "starting to question"?

"Beginning to interrogate" implies a more structured and potentially adversarial questioning process, while "starting to question" is a more general and neutral way to describe the start of asking questions.