questioned by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questioned by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is being asked questions or is under inquiry by another person or group. Example: "The witness was questioned by the police regarding the events of that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was questioned by police.

The New York Times - Sports

Three men are being questioned by police.

The Guardian

All have been questioned by police.

The Economist

His theory was questioned by other scientists.

The New York Times - Science

Yarrow surely was questioned by authorities.

The New York Times

The claim is questioned by many observers.

Independent

He is being questioned by police.

The New York Times

Hank Rhon was never questioned by the authorities.

The New Yorker

I was questioned by two judges.

The Guardian

He will be questioned by MPs tomorrow.

The Guardian

Its independence might therefore be questioned by some.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "questioned by", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is doing the questioning and who is being questioned.

Common error

Avoid using "questioned by" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The suspect was questioned by the detective", consider "The detective questioned the suspect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questioned by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being questioned. This construction is used to shift the focus from the actor (the one questioning) to the recipient of the action (the one being questioned), as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "questioned by" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that someone is being asked questions, often in a formal or investigative context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science sources, it serves to shift the focus from the questioner to the individual being questioned. While alternatives like "interviewed by" or "interrogated by" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the active voice for more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interviewed by

Focuses on a formal process of asking questions to gather information.

interrogated by

Suggests a more intense and formal questioning, often associated with legal or investigative contexts.

investigated by

Focuses on a systematic inquiry to uncover facts.

cross-examined by

Refers specifically to questioning a witness by the opposing party in a legal context.

challenged by

Highlights the act of someone disputing or contesting a claim or idea.

scrutinized by

Implies a careful and critical observation.

inquired into by

Indicates a formal inquiry or investigation.

under investigation by

Highlights that someone or something is the subject of an official inquiry.

examined by

Emphasizes a detailed inspection or investigation.

probed by

Suggests a thorough and often intrusive questioning.

FAQs

How to use "questioned by" in a sentence?

"Questioned by" is used to indicate that someone is being asked questions, typically in a formal or investigative setting. For example, "The witness was "questioned by" the police".

What can I say instead of "questioned by"?

You can use alternatives like "interviewed by", "interrogated by", or "examined by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "questioned by" or "questioned from"?

"Questioned by" is the correct and standard usage. "Questioned from" is grammatically incorrect. For instance, you'd say "He was "questioned by" the authorities", not "questioned from the authorities".

What's the difference between "questioned by" and "interviewed by"?

"Interviewed by" generally refers to a more conversational and information-gathering process, while ""questioned by"" often implies a more formal or investigatory process, such as in a police investigation.