he questioned me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he questioned me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is asking you questions or seeking clarification on a topic. Example: "During the meeting, he questioned me about the project's timeline and deliverables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But later, he questioned me closely about the disease because a member of his family had it.

The New York Times - Science

I became aware of his activism in 1985, when he questioned me on a fairly neutral review I wrote of Michael Cimino's film "Year of the Dragon".

The New York Times - Arts

I sat down with a clothing guy that I won't mention, but hopefully if he reads this article, he knows it's him and knows that out of respect, I didn't mention his name: this guy, he questioned me before I left his office:, "If you've done this, this, and this, why haven't you gone further in fashion?" And I say, "I'm learning".

The New York Times - Arts

He questioned me closely about my background, and I heard myself explain that I was 30 years old, single, living in the city for a year and earning my living as an English teacher, all the drab information about one's life that one feels forced to offer up at a first meeting.

The Guardian - Books

It wasn't until he questioned me last summer, "Would you ever want to be married again?" that I realized that I did.

Huffington Post

I told him I just got out of prison and was at the reentry house and he asked me, 'How long were you in?' I told him a long time and he questioned me.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I ask Stirling a question about last Saturday night but quick as a flash he questions me.

The Guardian

How dare he question me about my dream.

Science Magazine

He also questioned me relentlessly about materials I collected for my and my colleagues' research.

The New York Times - Magazine

He then began to question me.

Huffington Post

He made me question if I could ever make the sacrifice that he made.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he questioned me" when you want to emphasize the act of questioning itself, rather than simply stating that someone asked you something. It can imply a more formal or intense interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "he questioned me" in extremely casual conversations where a simple 'he asked me' would suffice. The former can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he questioned me" primarily functions as a declarative statement where 'he' is the subject, 'questioned' is the verb, and 'me' is the object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

33%

Books

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he questioned me" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned way to describe an instance where someone posed questions to the speaker. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but it also appears in arts and books. While acceptable for general use, using "he asked me" is also a very appropriate alternative. Ensure the level of formality aligns with the specific context, as overuse in casual settings may sound unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he asked me questions

Focuses on the act of asking multiple questions rather than a single query.

he interrogated me

This phrase implies a more intense and formal questioning, often in an official context.

he probed me

Suggests a deeper, more investigative form of questioning, often about sensitive topics.

he pressed me for answers

Indicates insistent questioning, where the person was actively seeking information and did not accept vague responses.

he inquired of me

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying he asked me.

he interviewed me

Describes a structured questioning session, often for a specific purpose like a job application or research.

he examined me

Implies a careful and detailed questioning, similar to a formal examination.

he drilled me with questions

Emphasizes the repetitive and thorough nature of the questioning.

he scrutinized me

Suggests a thorough and critical examination through questioning.

he sought my input

Indicates a request for information or perspective rather than a formal interrogation.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "he questioned me"?

A more formal alternative is "he interrogated me", which suggests a more thorough and possibly intense questioning.

How does "he questioned me" differ from "he asked me questions"?

"He questioned me" implies a focused line of inquiry from one person to another. "He asked me questions" is more general and doesn't necessarily imply a specific focus or intensity.

Is "he questioned to me" grammatically correct?

No, "he questioned to me" is incorrect. The correct phrasing is "he questioned me". The verb 'question' directly takes the object.

When is it appropriate to use "he questioned me closely"?

Use "he questioned me closely" when the interrogation was detailed and thorough, implying a significant interest or concern from the person asking the questions. It suggests a deeper dive than a casual inquiry.