upon being questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upon being questioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs as a result of being asked a question or interrogated. Example: "Upon being questioned about his whereabouts, he provided a detailed alibi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Upon being questioned he said he was looking for 33 West 42nd Street.

The New Yorker

Upon being questioned, however, as to what industry she was employed in the visitor admitted she did nothing but deliver lectures.

The New York Times

Upon being questioned by Chaffee, Cameron explained that the committee could only appoint a temporary chairman to the convention, and could not vote on the unit rule issue (which he said belonged to the Rules Committee).

Wikipedia

Arriving in Britain just a few days ahead of the news about the attack on Fort Sumter, Yancey and his delegation met informally with British foreign secretary Lord John Russell on May 3 and May 9. Yancey emphasized the points from his instructions and denied, upon being questioned by Russell, that there was any intent to reopen the slave trade.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Being South Asian meant I was constantly looked down upon for my "accent," being questioned as to how it is that I speak English fluently.

Huffington Post

The fit between the education and training students receive and the ability to assume a position in bioethics upon completion has been questioned [ 9, 10].

BMC Medical Ethics

In mid-2013, the paternity of Summer (now 18 years old) is questioned upon the revelation that Nick declared himself her father despite the initial paternity test being corrupt.

Wikipedia

This may be questioned upon trial completion given the variability in an investigator's ability to reliably and uniformly assess the sediment at each site.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Upon entering the United States, Jabs was questioned by border officials in Chicago.

Vice

In his search for something whose existence cannot be questioned, Russell hit upon present experience and, in particular, upon sense data: one can question whether one is really seeing some physical object whether, for example, there is a desk before one but one cannot question that one is having visual impressions or sense data.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Upon landing in Detroit, three people were questioned, although the F.B.I. said Monday that the passengers were never in the restroom at the same time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon being questioned" to create a formal tone, especially in legal or investigative contexts. For example, "Upon being questioned by detectives, the suspect revealed new details."

Common error

Avoid using "upon being questioned" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "when asked" or "after being asked" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrase. "Upon being questioned" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the main verb in a sentence. It indicates the time or condition under which an action occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon being questioned" is a grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, which functions as an adverbial modifier indicating the timing and circumstances of a response. While correct, it carries a formal tone and is most appropriate for news, legal, or academic writing. Simpler alternatives like "when asked" or "after being asked" may be better suited for informal contexts. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in specifying that a statement or action occurred as a direct consequence of someone being questioned. Remember to consider the context and desired level of formality when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

when questioned

Replaces "upon being questioned" with a more direct and common phrasing.

after being asked

Similar to "when questioned", focusing on the act of asking.

following interrogation

Implies a more formal or intense questioning process.

in response to questioning

Highlights the act of responding to questions.

when interrogated

Similar to "following interrogation", but more concise.

on being queried

Uses a slightly more formal verb than "asked".

after the inquiry

Focuses on the inquiry itself rather than the act of questioning.

once questioned

Emphasizes the condition of having been questioned.

having been questioned

Uses a perfect participle to describe the state of being questioned.

subjected to questioning

Emphasizes the act of being subjected to interrogation.

FAQs

How can I use "upon being questioned" in a sentence?

Use "upon being questioned" to indicate a response or action that occurs directly after someone is questioned. For example, "Upon being questioned, the witness provided a detailed account of the events."

What are some alternatives to "upon being questioned"?

Alternatives include "when asked", "after being asked", or "in response to questioning", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "upon being questioned" suitable for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "upon being questioned" is more formal. Simpler alternatives like "when asked" are generally better suited for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "upon being questioned" and "after being questioned"?

"Upon being questioned" suggests an immediate response, whereas "after being questioned" implies that some time may have passed between the questioning and the response.