i was interviewed

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was interviewed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an event that has already happened, and can be used in any context. For example: I recently applied for a job in banking, and I was interviewed for the position.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

(I was interviewed for the book).

The New Yorker

I was interviewed three times altogether.

The Guardian

I was interviewed by Mary Salerno, who's truly a pioneer.

The New York Times

I might tell her that I was interviewed today.

The Washington Post

"When I was interviewed, I felt a fraud.

The Guardian - Money

I was interviewed, but I never campaigned for it.

The New York Times

"I was interviewed by him," Mr. Voight said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

We talked about the article I was interviewing her for.

The New Yorker

I was interviewing Silverman for a book I'm writing.

The Guardian

I was interviewing an elderly magician in hurricane-strewn Oklahoma.

The Guardian

I was interviewing Gordon Brown when the tape came through.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a past event, using "I was interviewed" clearly indicates that you were the subject of an interview. Ensure that the context provides details about the interview, such as the interviewer, the topic, or the purpose.

Common error

Using passive voice can sometimes obscure who conducted the interview. To make your writing clearer, consider using the active voice: "They interviewed me". This clarifies who initiated the interview and makes the sentence more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was interviewed" functions as a statement of a past event, specifically indicating that the speaker or writer was the subject of an interview. It employs the passive voice to emphasize the experience of being questioned, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was interviewed" is a grammatically correct and very common way to indicate that one has been the subject of an interview. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in various writing contexts. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic writing. While perfectly acceptable, using the active voice (e.g., "They interviewed me") can provide clarity in certain situations. When you’re asked about "I was interviewed", remember that it is different from "I interviewed someone", where you are the one asking questions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I underwent an interview

Replaces the verb "was interviewed" with "underwent an interview", maintaining a formal tone.

I participated in an interview

Focuses on the participation aspect of the interview, implying active involvement.

An interview was conducted with me

Shifts the sentence structure while preserving the meaning of being interviewed.

I was questioned

Highlights the questioning aspect of the interview, suitable for formal contexts.

I was subjected to an interview

Adds a sense of formality, with a slightly negative connotation.

I gave an interview

Focuses on providing the interview, rather than being the subject of it.

I faced questioning

Emphasizes the challenge or process aspect of being questioned.

They interviewed me

Active voice version of the phrase.

I had an interview

A more direct and simple way of expressing that an interview took place.

I sat for an interview

Emphasizes the act of sitting and participating in the interview.

FAQs

How can I use "I was interviewed" in a sentence?

You can use "I was interviewed" to describe a past event where you were the subject of an interview. For example, "I was interviewed about my research on climate change" or "I was interviewed for a position at the company".

What are some alternatives to saying "I was interviewed"?

You can use alternatives like "I gave an interview" (if you want to focus on your participation), "I participated in an interview", or "they interviewed me" (to emphasize the interviewer).

Is it better to say "I was interviewed" or "I gave an interview"?

The best choice depends on the context. "I was interviewed" focuses on you as the subject. "I gave an interview" emphasizes your role in providing information. For example, a celebrity promoting a movie might say, "I gave many interviews".

What's the difference between "I was interviewed" and "I had an interview"?

"I was interviewed" is in passive voice, focusing on the action done to you. "I had an interview" is more general, simply stating that an interview occurred. The first is better when the context requires focus on yourself as the recipient of questions, while the second is useful when you want to express that you attended an interview session.