on being questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

"on being questioned" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "The suspect remained silent on being questioned by the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Dr. Daneff, on being questioned, declared that there was nothing to communicate for the present.

The New York Times

But Sprewell, who lives in Westchester County, insisted on being questioned face to face.

The New York Times - Sports

The druggist, on being questioned as to Wyman's home address, said, "Oh, he lives across the street — perhaps at 617".

The New Yorker

Louis, the proprietor, on being questioned, says innocently that he turns the sprinkler system on the roof to cool off the garden.

The New Yorker

On being questioned further he told them he was a shepherd by profession, that he had arrived from his Balochistan in February this year, and that he was a devout Muslim who prayed five times a day.

The Guardian

On being questioned by the first author on their proposed redesign, the group explained how they aimed to control for the wind factor (thereby increasing thrust) by incorporating "flaps" and "cut-outs" in their design; again they appeared cognizant of the broader problem goal of maximizing the plane's flight path: Adele: We're gonna do kind of like this.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It was only later that the Greenpeace action and the data that they based it on were questioned.

Nature

She was being questioned on Friday night.

The New York Times

& now out on bail, were questioned by Father Jean-Yves Urfie. Jean-Yves Urfie

The New Yorker

Romania's record on combating corruption was questioned.

The New York Times

Mrs. Bettencourt was questioned on Monday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on being questioned" to indicate a direct response or action taken immediately after someone is asked a question. This emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between the question and the response.

Common error

Avoid using "on being questioned" when the focus should be on the questioner or the act of questioning itself. This phrase emphasizes the subject's state rather than the interrogator's actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on being questioned" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It indicates the circumstances or conditions under which an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on being questioned" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe a response or action following an inquiry. Ludwig confirms that its use is valid across different contexts, particularly in news, science, and wiki sources. While not exceedingly common, the phrase offers a specific nuance, emphasizing the immediacy and directness of the reaction to the questioning. To enhance clarity, consider alternatives like "when asked about" or "when interrogated" depending on the context. It's important to understand the subtle difference from "when questioned", as this phrase emphasizes the immediacy and reaction to the specific questions asked.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when asked about

This alternative is a simpler and more direct way to express the same idea.

when queried

This alternative offers a slightly more formal synonym for "questioned".

when interrogated

This alternative replaces the phrase with a more direct term for formal questioning.

if probed

This option implies a more in-depth and potentially persistent line of questioning.

upon inquiry

This phrase uses a more formal and concise term for investigation.

in response to the inquiry

This phrase indicates a direct answer to a formal inquiry.

under examination

This phrase suggests a formal review or assessment, rather than a casual question.

during the interview

This focuses on the context of a structured interview setting.

following the interrogation

This specifies that the questioning has already occurred.

after being polled

This alternative implies that the questioning was part of a survey or poll.

FAQs

How can I use "on being questioned" in a sentence?

You can use "on being questioned" to indicate someone's response or reaction immediately after they are asked something. For instance, "The suspect remained silent "on being questioned" about the robbery."

What are some alternatives to "on being questioned"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "when interrogated", "upon inquiry", or "when asked about" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "on being questioned" formal or informal?

"On being questioned" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for news reports, formal interviews, and academic writing. Simpler alternatives might be better for informal conversations.

What's the difference between "on being questioned" and "when questioned"?

"On being questioned" emphasizes the immediacy of the response after the question. "When questioned" is more general and does not necessarily imply an immediate reaction.