they were questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were questioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who have been asked questions, typically in a formal or investigative context. Example: "After the incident, they were questioned by the police to gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were questioned, released and ordered to present themselves to the police for further questioning in the fall.

The New York Times

They were questioned and cleared.

The New York Times

They were questioned for a couple of hours there.

The New York Times

They were questioned by officers as a helicopter flew overhead.

The New York Times

They were questioned and given bail pending further inquiries.

The Guardian

They were questioned incessantly, and Felice was taken away.

The New York Times

But at one point they were questioned by the drivers.

The Guardian - Sport

As they were questioned, military dogs harassed them.

The New York Times

But when they were questioned separately, the cracks began to appear.

The Guardian

Prisoners were forced to kneel at gunpoint while they were questioned.

The Economist

They were questioned by Representative Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance you wish to convey. "They were questioned" is neutral. For a more formal or official tone, consider "they were interviewed" or "they were interrogated" if the situation warrants a more serious or accusatory tone.

Common error

Be mindful of overusing the passive voice. While "they were questioned" is grammatically correct, actively stating who did the questioning (e.g., "The police questioned them") can often create a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were questioned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group of individuals was subjected to questioning. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were questioned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating that a group of individuals was asked questions, often in a formal setting. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While perfectly acceptable, consider the active voice or alternatives like "they were interviewed" or "they were interrogated" depending on the desired nuance. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in a variety of writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were interviewed

This alternative focuses on a more formal questioning process, often used in journalistic or professional contexts.

they were interrogated

This suggests a more intense and potentially accusatory questioning, often associated with legal or criminal investigations.

they were examined

This alternative implies a detailed and thorough investigation, focusing on gathering specific information.

they were debriefed

This suggests a structured questioning process after an event or mission to gather information and insights.

they were investigated

This suggests a broader inquiry, where questioning is part of a larger process of uncovering facts.

they were probed

This indicates a careful and persistent questioning to uncover hidden details or sensitive information.

they were polled

This refers to gathering opinions or information through a survey or structured set of questions.

they were surveyed

Similar to 'polled', this implies collecting data from a group through standardized questions.

they were canvassed

This is often used when seeking opinions or support from a group of people, particularly in political or social contexts.

they were asked about

This is a more general alternative, indicating that they were asked questions on a particular topic.

FAQs

How can I use "they were questioned" in a sentence?

Use "they were questioned" to describe a situation where a group of people was asked questions, often in an official capacity. For example, "After the incident, "they were questioned" by the authorities."

What are some alternatives to "they were questioned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they were interviewed", "they were interrogated", or "they were asked about depending" on the formality and intensity of the situation.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing someone being questioned?

While "they were questioned" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice (e.g., "The investigators questioned them") can sometimes create a clearer and more direct sentence. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and style.

What is the difference between "they were questioned" and "they were investigated"?

"They were questioned" implies that they were asked specific questions. "They were investigated" suggests a broader inquiry, where questioning may be one part of a larger process of gathering information and uncovering facts.