they were interrogated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were interrogated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where individuals are questioned, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "After the incident, they were interrogated by the police to gather more information about what happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Imprisoned in soccer stadiums, they were interrogated.

The New York Times

They were interrogated, beaten, and shot, but they survived.

The New Yorker

They were interrogated about their ties to the Taliban.

The New York Times

Both have also alleged that they were interrogated by British intelligence officers.

The Guardian

After they were interrogated, several of them confessed, and the baroque narrative took its final twist.

The New Yorker

They were interrogated and jailed for two days, before being released without charge.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

She invited all of her girlfriends over and they were interrogating him.

The New York Times

And then there was another guy who was fully dressed in another cell they were interrogating also, or I guess they had already interrogated.

The New Yorker

Thousands of people took part in a mass funeral procession, while the police said they were interrogating a number of suspects with possible links to the bombing, which was claimed by an affiliate of IS.

Independent

Civilian life and military life, and following orders, Page 3. PAKISTAN -- Pakistani and American authorities said they were interrogating a chief suspect in the Jan . 23kidnapping of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter, in Karachi.

The New York Times

So when the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks took place, British officials did not react by using such techniques on the terrorist suspects they were interrogating.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were interrogated" when you want to emphasize that the subjects were formally questioned, often in a setting where power dynamics are at play.

Common error

Avoid using "they were interrogated" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "they were interrogated by the police", consider "the police interrogated them" if the actor is important to highlight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were interrogated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) received the action of being questioned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were interrogated" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the formal questioning of individuals, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it suggests a more rigorous and potentially adversarial process than simple questioning. While generally neutral in register, its formality can vary depending on the situation. To ensure clarity and impact, consider whether active voice might be more appropriate, especially when the interrogator is important to the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were questioned

Focuses on the act of asking questions, a direct synonym.

they underwent interrogation

Formal way of saying they experienced interrogation.

they were subjected to questioning

Emphasizes the imposition of the questioning process.

they were examined

Implies a more thorough and formal investigation through questioning.

they were interviewed

Indicates a structured conversation to gather information.

they faced questioning

Highlights the act of confronting questions.

they were investigated

Suggests a formal inquiry, often by authorities.

they were probed

Implies a detailed and careful investigation through questioning.

they were debriefed

Implies questioning after a specific event or mission.

they were grilled

Suggests intense and aggressive questioning.

FAQs

What does "they were interrogated" mean?

The phrase "they were interrogated" means that a group of people was formally questioned, typically by authorities or someone in a position of power, to gather information or investigate a situation.

What can I say instead of "they were interrogated"?

You can use alternatives like "they were questioned", "they were interviewed", or "they were examined" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "they were interrogated"?

It's appropriate to use "they were interrogated" when you want to emphasize the formal and potentially intense nature of the questioning, often implying a power dynamic or investigation.

What's the difference between "they were interrogated" and ""they were questioned""?

While both phrases involve asking questions, "they were interrogated" suggests a more formal, rigorous, and potentially adversarial process than ""they were questioned"", which can be a more neutral term.