interrogatory

USAGE SUMMARY

"interrogatory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a question that is asked in order to obtain information. For example, "The deposition included several interrogatories from the plaintiff's lawyer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

This was an opportunity for the septet to perform their party pieces without much interrogatory pressure.

The Guardian - Opinion

For others, they are something less formal: members of a dispersed civilisation distinguished by an ethical tradition and interrogatory cast of mind; by a legacy of persecution and tragic worldview (and the sense of humour that is its inverse); by certain tastes in food and culture.For Yossie Beilin, a former Israeli minister, Jews are an extended family.

The Economist

Besides genethlialogy, the Indians particularly cultivated military astrology and a form of catarchic astrology termed muhurta-shastra and, to a lesser extent, iatromathematics and interrogatory astrology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The main subdivisions of astrology that developed after genethlialogy are general, catarchic, and interrogatory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much attention was paid by the Muslims to catarchic and interrogatory astrology, but, under attack by the theologians for denying divine intervention in the world and man's free will, astrology rapidly declined in its appeal to Muslim intellectuals after the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, though not before its influence had spread in India, the Latin West, and Byzantium.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, as she deflected the interrogatory bullets fired at her by the Media Select Committee this week, former News International chief exec Rebekah Brooks pinged at least one stray round in the direction of No 11 Downing Street – suggesting that it was Gideon who had personally recommended the hiring of Andy Coulson as the Conservative Party's comms director in 2007.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

My eyes were watering from the fumes, and I was working that rind along a submerged tire reef, and suddenly a shapeless, interrogatory-type word began to form in my brain.

The New Yorker

Some common questions to ask in custody interrogatories include: Do you believe that you are the best parent to have custody?

WikiHow

Interrogatories are questions that a party to a lawsuit must answer under oath and return to you with his or her answers.

WikiHow

You can use your favorite search engine to locate a form for interrogatories and then modify to fit your needs.

WikiHow

To do this, you will need to send him or her a set of Interrogatories.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "interrogatory" to describe something that serves to question or interrogate, such as "an interrogatory glance". Ensure the context clearly indicates the act of questioning or inquiring.

Common error

Avoid using "interrogatory" when "interrogative" is more appropriate. "Interrogative" typically refers to grammatical forms like questions, while "interrogatory" describes the act or manner of questioning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "interrogatory" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a questioning or investigative quality. Ludwig's examples illustrate this, such as "interrogatory glance" or "interrogatory style."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "interrogatory" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something questioning or investigative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and is most frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. While synonyms like "questioning" and "inquisitive" exist, "interrogatory" adds a layer of formality and precision. It's essential to distinguish "interrogatory" from "interrogative", the latter being a grammatical term. Using "interrogatory" effectively enhances the clarity and tone of formal writing by specifying a questioning or inquiring aspect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrogative

This is a more formal synonym directly related to questioning.

questioning

This alternative focuses on the act of asking questions.

inquisitive

This alternative emphasizes curiosity and a desire to learn.

probing

This alternative suggests a thorough and detailed examination.

investigative

This alternative relates to a systematic or formal inquiry.

analytical

This alternative highlights the use of logical reasoning and analysis.

exploratory

This alternative describes something that is done to find out more about something.

examining

This alternative focuses on close inspection.

scrutinizing

This alternative implies a critical and careful observation.

searching

This alternative suggests looking thoroughly for something.

FAQs

How is "interrogatory" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "interrogatory" often refers to a formal question submitted to an opposing party to gather information before a trial. For example, lawyers might use "legal interrogatories" to gather evidence.

What are some synonyms for "interrogatory" when describing a person's demeanor?

When describing a person's demeanor, you can use synonyms like "inquisitive", "questioning", or "probing depending" on the nuance you want to convey.

How does "interrogatory" differ from "interrogative"?

"Interrogatory" describes the act of questioning, while "interrogative" is a grammatical term referring to questions or question forms. You would use "interrogatory" to describe an "interrogatory tone" but "interrogative sentence" to describe a sentence structure.

Can "interrogatory" be used to describe art or music?

Yes, "interrogatory" can describe art or music that prompts questions or exploration. For example, you might describe a piece of music as having an "interrogatory quality" if it challenges or puzzles the listener.