interrogate

USAGE SUMMARY

'interrogate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone questions to gain information. Example sentence: The police officers interrogated the suspect for hours in an attempt to get to the truth.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The governor of Hebron, Kamel Hmeid, said the men had been "executed" by Israel, whose forces made no attempt to detain or interrogate them.

The Guardian

If you interrogate the subtext of these discussions, it is possible to come up with quite an accurate picture of what this part of the UK electorate is worried about.

The Guardian - Opinion

What you instead have is a kind of vacuum that is not quite Britain, not quite not Britain, in which this Act enables people to interrogate people for up to nine hours and seize all their belongings with no checks and balances.

The Guardian

Expose, interrogate, explain, question, understand: these were the things the media had to do.

The Guardian - Opinion

McCarthy aimed to interrogate and root out the secret communists who he imagined riddled the ranks of the United States government, the military and other institutions.

The Guardian - Film

There were only 26 of them, supplemented by a handful of FBI and intelligence agents, to interrogate 300 initial detainees – mostly Saudis, Afghans, Pakistanis and Yemenis.

The Guardian

Excel isn't just for arranging data – it gives users the tools to interrogate data to find valuable new insights.

The Guardian

But by doing it in a transit lounge they are operating in a kind of stateless way where they can interrogate somebody for nine hours, seize whatever they want, under rules that are about terrorism.

The Guardian

If the police had wanted to interrogate Miranda in the Heathrow car park, they would have had to use a different law, with checks and balances.

The Guardian

An in-class exercise will demonstrate how we can interrogate our memory to bring back the details otherwise forgotten.

The Guardian

Powell says police were guilty of "histrionic gestures", though this had its comic sides, describing one occasion when police came into Downing Street one weekend "to seize our computers to use sophisticated software to interrogate them for evidence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interrogate" when you want to emphasize a detailed or intense questioning process, especially in legal, investigative, or formal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "interrogate" implies a level of formality and intensity that may be inappropriate for everyday exchanges. Opt for "ask" or "question" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interrogate" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. According to Ludwig, it describes the act of questioning someone thoroughly, often with the aim of uncovering specific information. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from police investigations to data analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interrogate" is a versatile verb used to describe a detailed and often intense questioning process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in formal settings such as legal proceedings, investigations, and data analysis. While its register is generally neutral, the level of formality can vary depending on the context, making it crucial to choose the right term for your communication needs. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "question closely" or "examine thoroughly" for less intense scenarios. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of "interrogate" ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

question closely

Implies a detailed and focused line of questioning, often in a less formal setting.

grill

Suggests a more intense and potentially aggressive form of questioning.

cross-examine

Specifically refers to questioning a witness in a legal setting.

examine thoroughly

Focuses on a detailed and comprehensive investigation through questioning.

probe

Implies a deeper, more investigative line of questioning.

investigate

Encompasses a broader inquiry that may or may not involve direct questioning.

debrief

Refers to questioning someone after a mission or event to gather information.

interview

A more general term for asking questions, often in a professional context.

canvass

Suggests a broad inquiry, often to gather opinions or support from a wide group of people.

ask questions

The most basic and general way to describe seeking information through inquiry.

FAQs

How do you use "interrogate" in a sentence?

You can use "interrogate" to describe questioning someone thoroughly and often aggressively. For example, "The detective will interrogate the suspect".

What's the difference between "interrogate" and "interview"?

"Interrogate" suggests a more formal and intense questioning, often with the goal of uncovering hidden information or wrongdoing, whereas "interview" is a more general term for asking questions.

When is it appropriate to use the word "interrogate"?

It is appropriate to use "interrogate" when describing a formal questioning process, such as in law enforcement, investigations, or formal inquiries. Avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler terms like "ask" or "question" are more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "interrogate" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "question closely", "examine thoroughly", or "debrief".