was interrogated about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was interrogated about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being questioned or examined regarding a specific topic or issue. Example: "The suspect was interrogated about his whereabouts on the night of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

And he was interrogated about the 30-year-old and asked if they had had sex.

The New York Times

The same thing happened when a mentally ill man was interrogated about the disappearance of Etan Patz.

The New York Times

He estimates he was interrogated about 80 times, usually by Americans but sometimes by British intelligence officers.

The Guardian

On a stop in Annapolis, Md., for example, he was interrogated about his activities and read his Miranda rights.

The New York Times - Arts

Then I was interrogated about my country's role in Iraq and Israel and my feelings about the Bush administration.

The New York Times - Style

For 14 hours, Saad Eddin was interrogated about his work, his public lectures and his dozen or so books.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

They were interrogated about their ties to the Taliban.

The New York Times

Some were Iraqis and others were Syrian, and all were to be interrogated about Saddam.

The Guardian

A visitor is interrogated about news from home, mostly important things like baseball standings.

The New York Times - Science

After being interrogated about her son's whereabouts, she was told to go to Stony Brook Children's Hospital.

The New York Times

In alternating dialogue form a man is interrogated about the ownership of various items found in his home.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was interrogated about" when describing a formal questioning process, especially in legal, investigative, or official contexts. It suggests a structured and possibly intense line of questioning.

Common error

Avoid using "was interrogated about" in situations where someone was simply asked questions informally. Interrogation implies a more formal and structured process than a casual inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was interrogated about" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received questioning. Ludwig AI data shows its prevalent use in describing formal inquiries. This structure is useful for shifting focus from the interrogator to the interrogated.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was interrogated about" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a formal questioning process. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, indicating its use in reporting investigative or legal matters. While acceptable, remember that "was interrogated about" has a neutral register and it is advisable to use less formal alternatives like "was questioned about" in casual conversation. Using the phrase correctly involves recognizing the difference between formal interrogation and casual questioning to avoid misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was questioned regarding

Replaces 'interrogated' with 'questioned' and 'about' with 'regarding', creating a slightly more formal tone.

underwent interrogation regarding

Uses the noun form of 'interrogation', making the phrase more passive and formal.

was examined regarding

Employs 'examined' to imply a more thorough and detailed inquiry.

faced questioning about

Shifts the focus to the subject facing the questioning, rather than the act itself.

was quizzed concerning

Uses 'quizzed' which suggests a less formal and intense questioning, and 'concerning' instead of 'about'.

was subject to questioning about

Highlights the experience of being subjected to questioning.

was inquired of about

Features the formal verb 'inquired', which is less common but emphasizes the act of asking.

was investigated concerning

Indicates a formal investigation process.

was cross-examined on

Suggests a more adversarial questioning, typical in legal settings.

was probed about

Uses 'probed' to suggest a deeper, more persistent line of questioning.

FAQs

What's the difference between "was interrogated about" and "was questioned about"?

"Was interrogated about" suggests a more formal, intense, and possibly lengthy questioning process, often associated with investigations or legal proceedings. "Was questioned about" is a broader term that can refer to any instance of asking questions, formal or informal.

When is it appropriate to use "was interrogated about" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "was interrogated about" when you want to convey a formal or official questioning, typically by authorities or investigators, regarding a specific subject. It's commonly used in news reports, legal documents, and investigative narratives.

What are some synonyms for "was interrogated about" that convey a similar meaning?

Synonyms that convey a similar meaning include "was questioned regarding", "was examined about", or "was subject to questioning about". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was interrogated about" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "was interrogated about" is generally too formal for casual conversation. In informal settings, it's more natural to use phrases like "was asked about" or "was questioned about".