upon questioning

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a perfectly usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to refer to someone asking a question or interrogating someone. For example: I should have expected it, but I was surprised when the police began questioning me upon questioning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Upon questioning, the couple admitted that the 3-day-old baby was not their biological child.

The Washington Post

He also mentioned 650 federal agencies and departments, but upon questioning by the Federal Diary, his staff said the actual number is 438.

The Washington Post

The cops are coming!" Upon questioning, he explained that there was a couch cushion on fire in a field and then, suddenly, there were sirens.

The Washington Post

Ortega terms his action naive but sympathizes, explains upon questioning that he knew the location because his great-grandfather had been a Jew, practising his religion in secret.

The New Yorker

A 'deportable alien' is a person who has been found to be deportable by an immigration judge, or who admits his deportability upon questioning by official agents.

Cornell University

Upon questioning the high priest of the cult about the statuette, he is told it is Cthulhu, and that "In his house at R'lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

However, upon later questioning, he refused to expand upon his observations of the damage to the island.

Wikipedia

But Lopez changed his story upon further questioning.

Independent

Upon more questioning, the campaign advisers acknowledged some hard truths.

The New York Times

But Hestrin said the children appear to be lacking "basic knowledge of life". Many of the children did not know what a police officer was, for example, and the 17-year-old who called to report the abuse did not know what pills or medications were upon police questioning.

The Washington Post

His report stated that "upon extensive questioning it is believed that members of the fraternity were utilizing rubber tubing inserted into their rectums as a conduit for alcohol".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain a formal and professional tone, prefer the construction "upon questioning" over simpler alternatives like "when asked" in official reports or academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using informal alternatives like "when asked" in contexts that require a higher degree of formality. "Upon questioning" provides a more professional and precise tone, especially in legal or investigative reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon questioning" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the timing or condition under which an action or statement occurs. It introduces a circumstance that leads to a specific outcome, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upon questioning" is a formal phrase used to indicate that something occurred or was revealed as a direct result of being asked questions. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in professional contexts such as news reporting, scientific studies, and legal documentation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting it's appropriate for formal communication. While simpler alternatives exist, "upon questioning" provides a level of precision and formality often necessary in certain contexts. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it's a valuable phrase for establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between inquiry and response.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after being questioned

Passive voice construction emphasizing the act of questioning.

when asked

A simpler and more direct alternative.

once questioned

Similar to "when asked" but implies a single instance of questioning.

in response to questioning

Highlights that a statement or action is a direct result of questions.

on being asked

Similar to "when asked" but slightly more formal.

after being interrogated

Focuses specifically on a formal interrogation process.

under interrogation

Focuses on the state of being questioned, typically by authorities.

following inquiry

More formal and emphasizes the act of asking questions.

during the interview

Specifies the context as a formal interview setting.

when probed

Emphasizes persistent or thorough questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "upon questioning" in a sentence?

"Upon questioning", the suspect admitted to the crime. This phrase indicates that the admission occurred directly because of the questions asked.

What are some alternatives to "upon questioning"?

You can use alternatives like "after being interrogated", "following inquiry", or simply "when asked" depending on the context. Consider using "when asked" for less formal situations.

Is "upon questioning" formal or informal?

"Upon questioning" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic writing. For more casual conversation, "when asked" or similar alternatives might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "upon questioning" and "during questioning"?

"Upon questioning" implies that something happened because of the questioning, while "during questioning" simply indicates that something happened at some point during the questioning process. "During questioning", the suspect remained silent.