he grilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he grilled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone cooking food on a grill or to indicate that someone is questioning or interrogating another person intensely. Example: "After the game, he grilled the players about their performance and what went wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He grilled well.

The New York Times

He grilled in the front yard with his fellow linemen.

The New York Times - Sports

He grilled pita bread and stuffed them with vegetables.

The New York Times

"He grilled me for two hours".

The New York Times - Tech

The 60 steaks he grilled for his friends one afternoon.

The New York Times

He grilled her over and over, doing what the S.A.T. said should not be done.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

He grills haricots verts wrapped in smoky local Breydel bacon.

The New York Times - Food

Then he grills it to whatever temperature a diner requests.

The New York Times

For dessert he grills Belgian nougat on long, slender skewers — the Flemish version of a s'more.

The New York Times - Food

He grills them for the roasted corn bisque, a satisfying and warming remnant of summer.

The New York Times

He grills me gently and lists my answers on his pad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic or narrative writing, use it metaphorically to describe a relentless or aggressive questioning style.

Common error

Do not use "he grilled" in a way that creates unintentional humor or confusion when the setting could be either a kitchen or an investigation. For example, 'He grilled his chef' might sound like a crime unless the context of an interview is clearly established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he grilled" consists of a third-person singular pronoun followed by the past tense of the verb 'to grill'. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily as a transitive verb phrase requiring an object (food or a person) to complete its meaning. It is a standard construction in the English simple past tense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Informal

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he grilled" is a robust and grammatically correct expression found extensively in top-tier publications. Ludwig AI results demonstrate that it transitions seamlessly between describing a chef's technique and a reporter's scrutiny. Whether you are writing about a weekend barbecue or a political cross-examination, this phrase provides a vivid and concise way to convey intense action in the past tense. Its high frequency in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its reliability for any writer seeking a balance of descriptive flair and clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he interrogated

Uses a more formal and intense verb for questioning

he barbecued

Specific to the culinary sense of cooking outdoors

he cross-examined

Implies a legal or highly structured questioning process

he roasted

Can be culinary or a figurative way of criticizing someone

he pressed

Suggests applying pressure during an inquiry without the 'grill' metaphor

he questioned

A neutral and broad alternative for the interrogative sense

he cooked

A general culinary term that lacks the specific method

he char-grilled

A more descriptive culinary term for high-heat cooking

he examined

Focuses on the scrutiny aspect of the questioning

he grilled out

Adds a phrasal verb particle often used for social outdoor cooking

FAQs

How to use "he grilled" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, as in 'He grilled the chicken for dinner', or figuratively, as in 'The detective mentioned that "he interrogated" the witness or rather that "he grilled" him for hours'.

What can I say instead of "he grilled"?

Depending on the context, you could use "he barbecued" for cooking or "he questioned" for an interview.

Is "he grilled" for questioning formal?

It is considered neutral to informal. In a strictly legal or academic paper, "he cross-examined" or "he questioned intensely" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "he grilled" and "he questioned"?

While both refer to asking questions, "he grilled" implies a much higher level of intensity and pressure than the neutral "he questioned".