he was questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "he was questioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone was asked questions, either formally or informally. For example, "The police officer suspected the man was involved in the robbery, so he was questioned by the detectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it never indicates he participated in any actual questioning or that he was questioned himself.

Forbes

He was questioned by police.

The New York Times - Sports

He was questioned in September.

Independent

"He was questioned at length.

The New York Times

He was questioned several times.

The New York Times

He was questioned for four hours.

The New York Times

Robert kept repeating on the two occasions he was questioned.

The New Yorker

When he was questioned, that was the turning point.

Independent

Both before and after the appearance in court, he was questioned in a routine manner.

Cornell University

He was questioned throughout the day and was denied the benefit of counsel, relatives or friends.

Cornell University

The next two days he was questioned three to four hours in the afternoon.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was questioned" when you want to emphasize that someone was the recipient of questioning, rather than the one asking the questions.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions like "he was questioned" when active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "he was questioned by the police", consider "the police questioned him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was questioned" functions as a passive construction where 'he' is the subject receiving the action of being questioned. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its ability to describe situations where someone is asked questions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was questioned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate that someone underwent questioning, often in an investigative or formal context. Its neutral tone allows for wide applicability across various registers, primarily in news and academic domains. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express the concept, each with slightly different nuances. When writing, it's beneficial to consider whether the passive voice is the most effective choice, or if an active construction would be more direct. The wealth of examples available through Ludwig showcases the phrase's versatility and correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was interrogated

Replaces 'questioned' with a more formal and intensive term, suggesting a more rigorous examination.

he was interviewed

Indicates a more conversational and less adversarial form of questioning, often for gathering information.

he was examined

Implies a more thorough and possibly formal investigation, not necessarily involving verbal questions.

he faced questioning

Emphasizes the act of confronting questions, highlighting the challenge involved.

he was investigated

Suggests a broader inquiry, where questioning is part of a larger process of scrutiny.

he underwent questioning

Highlights the experience of being questioned, emphasizing the process from the subject's perspective.

he was probed

Uses a term implying deep and searching inquiry, potentially uncovering hidden details.

he was grilled

Suggests intense and potentially aggressive questioning, aiming to elicit a confession or specific information.

he was cross-examined

A legal term indicating formal and challenging questioning, usually in a court setting.

questions were put to him

A more formal and passive way of stating that someone was questioned.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "he was questioned" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions such as "they questioned him" or "investigators questioned him" to make the sentence more direct and engaging.

What's the difference between "he was questioned" and "he was interrogated"?

"He was questioned" implies a general inquiry, while "he was interrogated" suggests a more formal, intensive, and possibly accusatory questioning session. Interrogation often implies suspicion or a search for specific information.

Is it better to use "he was questioned" or "he was interviewed"?

The choice depends on the context. "He was interviewed" suggests a more conversational and information-gathering process, while "he was questioned" can imply a more formal or investigative setting. Consider using "he was interviewed" if the exchange was primarily for information and less adversarial.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice "he was questioned" instead of the active voice?

Use the passive voice when you want to emphasize the person who received the questions rather than the questioner or when the questioner is unknown or unimportant. For example, "He was questioned about his whereabouts on the night of the crime" focuses on him.