had an interview

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had an interview" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past event where someone participated in an interview, typically for a job or a similar opportunity. Example: "Last week, I had an interview with a leading tech company, and I felt it went really well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had an interview.

The Washington Post

"I had an interview a month ago.

The Guardian

The BBC has had an interview too.

The Guardian

They never even had an interview.

The New York Times

I've never had an interview like that," Mr. Ryan said.

The New York Times

"No, I just had an interview with CNN," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Within a few days, he had an interview scheduled.

The New Yorker

As a sixth-former, I had an interview at Cambridge.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All applicants who are offered admission will have had an interview.

Yale University

He had an interview with Egyptian television later in the day.

The New Yorker

She has not had an interview in a long time despite frequently applying for jobs online.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "attended", "participated in", or "underwent" to add nuance or formality to your writing, depending on the context.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates who "had an interview". Vague phrasing can lead to confusion. For example, instead of just saying "he had an interview", specify "He had an interview with the hiring manager."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had an interview" typically functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating that someone experienced or participated in an interview. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had an interview" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone participated in an interview. Ludwig AI affirms its usability and correctness. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, and less commonly in wikis, formal business, and social media. While "had an interview" is generally neutral, alternative phrases like "attended an interview" or "participated in an interview" can add nuance or formality. Common errors include ambiguity, which can be avoided by clearly specifying who had the interview. In summary, "had an interview" is a versatile and widely understood phrase, suitable for a variety of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attended an interview

Replaces "had" with "attended", emphasizing the action of being present at the interview.

participated in an interview

Similar to "attended", but highlights active involvement in the interview process.

went for an interview

A more informal way of saying "had an interview", suggesting the purpose of going to the location.

was interviewed

Passive voice construction, focusing on the subject as the recipient of the interview.

underwent an interview

A more formal way of saying "had an interview", implying a structured or rigorous process.

completed an interview

Emphasizes the completion of the interview process.

sat for an interview

Similar to "underwent", implying a formal and structured setting.

secured an interview

Focuses on obtaining the interview opportunity, rather than the act of having it.

obtained an interview

Similar to 'secured', stresses the acquisition of the interview chance.

faced an interview

Highlights the challenge or anticipation associated with the interview.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had an interview" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "underwent an interview" or "participated in an interview". These options convey a sense of structure and active engagement.

What's a more casual way to say "had an interview"?

Informally, you could say "went for an interview". This phrasing is more relaxed and suitable for everyday conversation.

Is there a difference between "had an interview" and "was interviewed"?

While both phrases indicate that someone participated in an interview, "had an interview" focuses on the action the person took. In contrast, "was interviewed" is in the passive voice and emphasizes that the person was the subject of the interview.

When should I use "secured an interview" instead of "had an interview"?

Use "secured an interview" when you want to highlight the effort involved in obtaining the interview opportunity. "Had an interview" simply states that the interview took place, without emphasizing the process of getting it.