to be questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be questioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing a hypothetical situation in which someone is being asked questions. For example, "Sally had to be questioned by the police to determine her involvement in the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your allegiance will continue to be questioned?

The New York Times

That has to be questioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

That needed to be questioned".

The Guardian - Arts

Everything needs to be questioned.

The Guardian

But Rahman doesn't like to be questioned.

Independent

The regime is not to be questioned.

The Guardian

Those rules are about to be questioned.

The New York Times

That rarely seems to be questioned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several people continue to be questioned.

The Guardian

"The thing to be questioned is violence".

The New York Times

Judge Garzón is expected to be questioned on Jan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be questioned" when indicating that someone or something is likely to face inquiry or examination. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to be questioned" when the active voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The suspect is to be questioned by the detective", consider "The detective will question the suspect" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be questioned" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating the state of being subjected to questioning. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts where someone or something is under scrutiny or investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be questioned" functions as a passive infinitive indicating that someone or something will undergo an inquiry or examination. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts such as news, science, and academia. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and implies a formal process of seeking information. Related phrases include "to be interrogated" and "to be investigated", each carrying slightly different connotations. When writing, it is important to use this phrase in passive voice scenarios and avoid it in active voice situations where a more direct statement would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be interrogated

This phrase implies a more formal and potentially intense questioning process.

to be investigated

This suggests a more systematic and thorough inquiry.

to be scrutinized

This highlights close and critical examination.

to be challenged

This implies a questioning of validity or truth.

to be examined

This suggests a detailed inspection or analysis.

to be doubted

This focuses on a lack of certainty or belief.

to be verified

This emphasizes the need to confirm accuracy or truth.

to be audited

This suggests a formal review, typically of financial records.

to be reviewed

This implies a more general assessment or evaluation.

to be probed

This suggests a deep and thorough investigation.

FAQs

How do I use "to be questioned" in a sentence?

Use "to be questioned" to indicate that someone or something will be subject to inquiry. For example, "The witness is "to be questioned" about the incident".

What are some alternatives to "to be questioned"?

You can use alternatives like "to be interrogated", "to be investigated", or "to be examined", depending on the specific context and the level of scrutiny implied.

When is it appropriate to use "to be questioned" instead of "to question"?

"To be questioned" is passive, indicating someone will receive questions. "To question" is active, meaning someone will ask questions. Choose based on whether you want to emphasize the subject receiving the action or performing it. For example, "The policy is "to be questioned" by the board" versus "The board will question the policy".

Is "to be questioned" formal or informal?

"To be questioned" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and professional communications.