had interrogated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had interrogated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action of interrogation was completed before another action in the past. Example: "The detective had interrogated the suspect before the evidence was presented in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Several other Catholics said that church officials had interrogated them harshly about their reports of abuse.

The New York Times

The police said they had interrogated two settlers and were still investigating.

The New York Times

Her mother was a dancer and her father an ex-MI6 spy who had interrogated Himmler.

The Guardian - Books

For ninety-nine days, members of the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps had interrogated Thornwell continuously.

The New Yorker

The Interior Ministry said it had interrogated more than 50 people suspected of instigating the clashes, including a dozen minors.

The New York Times

Indirect threats had been relayed to the solicitor through clients whom police had interrogated at the Castlereagh holding centre.

The Guardian

In the interview, Mr. Ammour said Mr. Le Pen had interrogated him and three other men, one after the other.

The New York Times

It had been sardonic, but urgent, too, when a virginal Stolarsky had interrogated Bruno on Bruno's experiences with girls.

The New Yorker

Prince Nayef said this week that the government had interrogated at least 700 Saudis suspected of militant activities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

DR. GAWLIK: I have interrogated seven witnesses before the Commission.

Yale University

Smith and his team have interrogated normative thinking.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had interrogated" when you want to emphasize the formal and potentially intense nature of the questioning. It's appropriate for legal, investigative, or security contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "had interrogated" in casual or everyday situations can sound overly dramatic or formal. Opt for simpler terms like "had asked" or "had questioned" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had interrogated" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of questioning that was completed before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and effectively conveys a completed action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had interrogated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that describes a past action of formal and often intense questioning. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's best suited for neutral to professional contexts such as news reports or legal documents, and should be used cautiously in informal settings. While synonyms like "had questioned" or "had interviewed" exist, "had interrogated" carries a stronger connotation of a rigorous investigation. The most authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, frequently employ this phrase, confirming its validity and prevalence in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had questioned

Replaces "interrogated" with a more neutral term, suggesting a less intense or formal questioning.

had interviewed

Indicates a more conversational and less confrontational form of questioning.

had examined

Suggests a detailed and thorough inquiry, potentially involving scrutiny of evidence.

had cross-examined

Specifically refers to questioning a witness already examined by the opposing side.

had investigated

Implies a broader inquiry aimed at uncovering facts, not just questioning individuals.

had probed

Suggests a deep and thorough questioning to uncover hidden information.

had debriefed

Suggests questioning to gather information after an event or mission.

had conducted an inquiry

Replaces the direct verb with a more formal noun phrase, suggesting a structured investigation.

had grilled

Indicates intense and possibly aggressive questioning.

had scrutinized

Implies a very careful and critical examination, not necessarily through direct questions.

FAQs

What's the difference between "had interrogated" and "had questioned"?

"Had interrogated" implies a more formal, thorough, and potentially intense questioning process, often associated with investigations or legal proceedings. "Had questioned" is a more general term for asking questions.

When is it appropriate to use "had interrogated"?

Use "had interrogated" when describing a formal questioning process, such as by law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or in a courtroom setting. It suggests a more rigorous and systematic approach than simply asking questions.

What are some alternatives to "had interrogated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had questioned", "had interviewed", or "had examined". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "had interrogated" in a sentence?

"Had interrogated" is used in the past perfect tense. For example, "The detective had interrogated the suspect for hours before he confessed."