interrogate the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "interrogate the" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is asking questions of someone else. For example: The detective began to interrogate the suspect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Among other things, Nisman wanted to interrogate the President.

The New Yorker

Don't you want to interrogate the boundaries of augmented reality?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I wanted to use walking as a technique to interrogate the quiet rhythms of monumental spaces.

The Guardian

His face wet, he began to interrogate the accusing council member, who now looked sheepish.

The New Yorker

His life project has been to interrogate the notion of family.

The Guardian - Books

And why does it exist other than to challenge or interrogate the status quo?

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead it uses vulgar humor and pathos to interrogate the desires of black women with honesty.

The Guardian

Detectives were given 24 hours to interrogate the Methodist minister, starting at 1am on Friday morning.

The Guardian - Business

They are demanding that the city's justice officials also interrogate the Veracruz State Police.

The New Yorker

I think there's no better way to interrogate the species than to make three yourself".

The Guardian

It says it has the right to detain and interrogate the American crew members.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "interrogate the", ensure that the context clearly implies a thorough and often rigorous questioning or examination.

Common error

Avoid using "interrogate the" in contexts where a simple question or inquiry would suffice. This phrase implies a more formal or intense level of questioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "interrogate the" functions as a verb phrase where "interrogate" is the transitive verb, and "the" is a determiner modifying a noun (object). This phrase indicates the act of questioning someone thoroughly or examining something closely. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "interrogate the" is grammatically correct and frequently used to describe a thorough questioning or examination. Ludwig AI confirms that usage. It's most common in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral, it can carry a tone of formality or intensity and should be used judiciously in casual settings. Alternatives like "question the" or "examine the" may be more appropriate in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

question the

Replaces "interrogate" with a more general term for asking questions.

examine the

Focuses on a detailed inspection rather than direct questioning.

investigate the

Highlights a systematic or formal inquiry into something.

probe the

Suggests a deeper, more thorough examination or questioning.

scrutinize the

Implies a very careful and critical examination.

analyze the

Emphasizes a detailed analysis to understand something better.

query the

Similar to question but can imply a more formal or official inquiry.

debrief the

Specifically refers to questioning someone after a mission or event.

cross-examine the

Refers to a specific type of questioning in a legal context.

audit the

Implies a formal review or examination of records or accounts.

FAQs

How can I use "interrogate the" in a sentence?

Use "interrogate the" when you want to describe a thorough and potentially intense questioning or examination of something. For example, "Detectives were given 24 hours to interrogate the Methodist minister."

What are some alternatives to "interrogate the"?

You can use alternatives like "question the", "examine the", or "investigate the" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "interrogate the" instead of simply "ask"?

"Interrogate the" is appropriate when the questioning involves a formal, detailed, or even aggressive approach, unlike the more neutral act of simply asking a question. It implies a more in-depth and critical examination.

Is "interrogate the" always used in a negative or accusatory way?

While "interrogate the" can imply an accusatory tone, it's not always negative. It often simply denotes a rigorous and systematic questioning aimed at uncovering information or understanding a situation thoroughly. For example, 'Scientists interrogate the data to find meaningful results.'