questioning him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "questioning him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of asking someone questions, often in a context where the person being questioned is under scrutiny or investigation. Example: "The detective was questioning him about his whereabouts on the night of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Police are questioning him.

The New York Times

You're questioning him.

The New York Times

"People are questioning him now," she said.

The New York Times

I don't know why we're questioning him.

The Guardian - Sport

One almost feels guilty for questioning him.

The Guardian - Music

(Currently Dr Dixon is still questioning him).

The Guardian

Detectives were questioning him and charges were pending on Monday.

The New York Times

Every day I ask did they start questioning him.

The New York Times

The school immediately called the police without even questioning him.

Independent

C.I.A. headquarters told them to keep questioning him.

The New Yorker

Senators plan to begin questioning him Wednesday morning.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "questioning him" when you want to convey the act of seeking information from someone, especially in situations involving investigation, scrutiny, or formal inquiry. For example, use it when describing police interrogations, journalistic interviews, or academic assessments.

Common error

Avoid using "questioning him" in overly casual or informal situations where simpler terms like "asking him" would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your language sound unnecessarily formal or even accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "questioning him" functions primarily as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase acting as a verb, often part of a continuous tense. Ludwig examples show it used in various sentences as a part of ongoing action. For example, "Police are questioning him" indicates a current activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "questioning him" is a verb phrase widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile, serving to denote an ongoing investigation or inquiry. While generally neutral, it is more suited for formal or professional settings than casual conversations. Alternatives like "interrogating him" or "interviewing him" can be used to convey different nuances of the questioning process. Avoiding overuse in informal contexts ensures clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interrogating him

Emphasizes a more formal or intense level of questioning, often in an official context.

cross-examining him

Refers to a specific type of questioning in a legal setting, aimed at challenging a witness's testimony.

interviewing him

Suggests a structured conversation to gather information, typically for a specific purpose.

probing him

Highlights the act of carefully and persistently asking questions to uncover hidden information.

examining him

Focuses on a thorough and detailed investigation through questioning.

grilling him

Suggests an aggressive and relentless questioning, often in a confrontational manner.

quizzing him

Implies a casual or informal questioning, often to test knowledge or memory.

inquiring of him

A more formal and polite way of saying questioning, suitable for professional contexts.

investigating him

Implies a broader inquiry that includes questioning as part of a larger process.

polling him

Refers to getting opinions by asking sample questions.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "questioning him"?

You can use alternatives like "interrogating him", "interviewing him", or "inquiring of him" depending on the context.

Is "questioning him" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "questioning him" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing investigations, legal proceedings, or structured inquiries. However, consider alternatives like "interviewing him" or "examining him" if a less direct tone is preferred.

How does "questioning him" differ from "asking him"?

"Questioning him" implies a more structured, deliberate, and potentially probing inquiry. "Asking him" is a more general and often casual way to describe seeking information. For example, the police are "questioning him", while a friend is "asking him" about his day.

When is it better to use "interrogating him" instead of "questioning him"?

"Interrogating him" suggests a more intense and formal questioning, often associated with law enforcement or high-stakes investigations. Use "interrogating him" when the questioning is rigorous and aimed at uncovering critical information, as opposed to simply "questioning him" for general information.