he was queried

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was queried" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being asked questions or sought for information, often in formal or technical settings. Example: "During the investigation, he was queried about his whereabouts on the night of the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Mr. Guzofsky could not help chuckling a bit when he was queried by a reporter about the Kahane movement's e-mail publication and its monthly print magazine, both known as The Judean Voice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On these trips he is queried about everything, from the normal to the bizarre.

The New York Times - Sports

There are dozens of other email exchanges between Talbott and Clinton and her staffers in which he is queried for advice on foreign policy matters.

Vice

He left his original employer after his expenses claim for a bus fare was queried, and joined a Blackpool paper.

The Guardian

This morning, Mr. Gore was queried on several television talk shows about his debate performance.

The New York Times

Bed net usage of both mother and child was queried.

Plosone

I assume he has been queried, given his important prior contribution to the sorry state of banking.

Huffington Post

At the time I was querying whether he'd got that right, but I realise now Terry was right, and that was exactly the right thing to do – if you wanted the news you could get it elsewhere, and if you wanted to stay a part of Terry's world he was going to carry on bringing it to you.

The Guardian

He suggested that "each person be queried about their view of politicians".

The New York Times

Spanish-only speakers were queried in Spanish.

The New York Times

Outlying farmers were queried, their barns searched.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was queried" when you want to emphasize that someone was formally or officially asked questions, especially in legal, investigative, or academic contexts. It adds a layer of formality compared to simply saying "he was asked".

Common error

Avoid using "he was queried" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "he was asked" or "he was questioned" to maintain a natural and approachable tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he was queried" is a passive construction, where the subject receives the action. Ludwig AI confirms it indicates that 'he' was the recipient of a questioning process, rather than the initiator.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was queried" is a grammatically correct passive construction indicating that someone was asked questions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While more formal than alternatives like "he was asked", it is commonly used in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, remember to reserve "he was queried" for situations where a formal or official inquiry is implied, and avoid overusing it in casual conversation. Use simpler alternatives when the formal tone is not required. As showcased by Ludwig's examples, the phrase effectively conveys that someone was subject to a questioning process, making it a useful addition to a writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was questioned

Simple substitution of "queried" with the more common "questioned".

he was interviewed

"Interviewed" implies a more formal and structured questioning.

he was asked

This alternative is a more direct and less formal way of saying he received questions.

he was probed

"Probed" implies a detailed and persistent questioning.

he was investigated

"Investigated" suggests a more in-depth and potentially accusatory inquiry.

he was solicited for information

This indicates that the purpose of querying was to obtain information from him.

he was examined

"Examined" suggests a thorough and critical review of his statements.

he faced inquiries

This phrase replaces the passive voice with an active one, focusing on the inquiries themselves.

he was sounded out

"Sounded out" suggests a subtle and indirect attempt to get information.

he was canvassed

"Canvassed" implies questioning a large group of people including him.

FAQs

What does "he was queried" mean?

The phrase "he was queried" means that someone asked him questions, often in a formal or official context. It suggests a process of inquiry to gather information.

What's a more common alternative to "he was queried"?

A more common alternative is "he was questioned", which carries a similar meaning but is generally more widely used.

Is "he was queried" formal or informal?

"He was queried" tends to be more formal than phrases like "he was asked". It's often used in news reports, official statements, or academic writing.

How does "he was queried" differ from "he was interrogated"?

While both suggest questioning, "he was interrogated" implies a more intense and formal questioning, often associated with legal or investigative contexts. "He was queried" is a milder term.