has been grilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been grilled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has been subjected to intense questioning or scrutiny, often in a critical or challenging manner. Example: "During the meeting, the CEO has been grilled by the board members about the company's recent performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Chicken that has been grilled or sauteed makes excellent salads too.

The New York Times

Stumpf has been grilled by hostile members of congressional committees twice within two weeks.

The New Yorker

Duck breast has been grilled over charcoal and positioned between two sauces.

The New York Times - Food

12.28pm: David Cameron has been grilled over tuition fees during prime minister's questions, just ended.

The Guardian

Since then Zuckerberg has been grilled about Messenger Kids while testifying before the US Congress in April.

The Guardian - Tech

To tie such elemental goodness to Belgium you might slather your corn, especially if it has been grilled, with mayonnaise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Los Parados (which implies standing-room-only, ie no tables), has been grilling beef and pork at the same corner for over 40 years.

The Guardian - Travel

Her appearance in the state on Sunday alongside her husband, former president Bill Clinton, was ostensibly a show support for their friend, the retiring senator Tom Harkin, who has been grilling steaks in the Iowa fields since 1972.

The Guardian

The researcher who has been grilling me about the way I use the web is Lidia Oshlyansky.

BBC

New York City-based Decision Strategies/Fairfax International has been grilling ABC News employees, including senior executives, in an effort to determine who lifted the tape.

Los Angeles Times

And if you're craving old-school Americana, at Dick's Drive-In a beloveDrive-In astitution that has belovedilocal up meat pattinstitution954—cheeseburgers and fries each go for justhat.75.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been grilled" when you want to convey that someone has been subjected to intense questioning, often with a critical or challenging tone. It's suitable for describing situations where someone's actions or statements are being thoroughly examined.

Common error

Avoid using "has been grilled" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "was questioned extensively" or "underwent rigorous questioning" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been grilled" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received the action of intense questioning. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been grilled" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that implies intense questioning and scrutiny. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing situations where someone's actions or statements are being thoroughly examined. While "has been grilled" is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "was questioned extensively" or "underwent rigorous questioning" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the critical or challenging nature of the questioning process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had a grilling

A more informal way of saying "has been grilled", still implying a tough questioning.

was intensely questioned

Highlights the high level of intensity of the questioning.

faced tough questions

Suggests the difficulty and challenging nature of the questions posed.

underwent rigorous questioning

Highlights the thorough and demanding nature of the questioning.

was questioned extensively

Emphasizes the act of questioning without necessarily implying criticism or hostility.

was subjected to scrutiny

Focuses on the critical examination rather than the questioning itself.

was interrogated

Implies a formal and systematic questioning, often by authorities.

was cross-examined

Implies a formal and potentially adversarial questioning, often in a legal setting.

was put through the wringer

Suggests a very difficult and exhausting experience, including intense questioning.

was given a hard time

An informal expression indicating that someone faced criticism or difficult questions.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "has been grilled"?

When someone "has been grilled", it means they have been subjected to intense and often critical questioning. This usually implies that the person is under scrutiny for something they have done or said.

What can I say instead of "has been grilled"?

You can use alternatives like "was questioned extensively", "underwent rigorous questioning", or "faced tough questions" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been grilled" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been grilled" might be too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using more neutral phrases like "was subjected to scrutiny" or "was intensely questioned".

How does "has been grilled" differ from "was interrogated"?

"Was interrogated" implies a more formal and systematic questioning, often by authorities, while "has been grilled" suggests a more intense and potentially critical questioning in a broader range of situations. The phrase "was interrogated" carries a heavier connotation.