was questioned about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was questioned about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone being asked questions regarding a specific topic or issue. Example: "The witness was questioned about the events that took place on the night of the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Miller was questioned about two passport applications he made.

The New York Times - Books

It was not known what she was questioned about.

The New York Times

Mr. Manfredonia was questioned about Miss Domas's disappearance Friday.

The New York Times

He said Canseco was questioned about "the things we expected".

The New York Times - Sports

Each subject was questioned about tobacco habits; 434 individuals were recruited.

Epilepsy & Behavior

Mr Condit was one of several people who was questioned about Ms Levy's whereabouts.

The Economist

Binyamin Netanyahu (Likud, 1996-99) was questioned about an alleged votes-for-influence conspiracy.

The Economist

He was questioned about the theft of a laptop on campus.

The New York Times - Sports

During depositions, Mr. Gagosian was questioned about working both ends of the deal.

The New York Times

Ms Batmanghelidjh was questioned about learning the important lesson of "staying within budget".

Independent

Each lineup decision that Manager Joe Girardi was questioned about before the game proved clairvoyant.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was questioned about" when you want to emphasize that someone was formally asked questions concerning a specific matter. This construction is common in news reports, legal contexts, and investigative journalism.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase with incorrect prepositions, such as "was questioned on" instead of "was questioned about". The correct preposition is "about" to indicate the subject of the questioning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was questioned about" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was the recipient of the action of questioning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard grammatical construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was questioned about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates someone was asked questions regarding a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news reports, legal documents, and investigative contexts. While "was questioned about" is generally neutral, related phrases like "was interrogated about" carry a more intense connotation. When using the phrase, ensure the preposition "about" is correctly used. Replace the construction with phrases like was interviewed about or was asked about to convey slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was asked about

A more general and neutral alternative, simply stating that questions were posed.

was queried about

Similar to "asked," but slightly more formal and suggests a specific focus.

was interrogated about

Replaces "questioned" with a more formal and intense term, suggesting a rigorous inquiry.

was inquired about

A more formal and polite way of saying "was asked about".

was interviewed about

Indicates a formal conversation to gather information, typically less accusatory than "questioned".

was investigated regarding

Indicates a systematic and formal inquiry, often conducted by authorities.

was probed about

Suggests a thorough and detailed inquiry, often seeking to uncover hidden information.

faced questions about

Highlights the act of confronting inquiries, often implying a challenging situation.

was examined regarding

A formal alternative, implying a careful and systematic investigation through questioning.

was subjected to questioning about

Emphasizes the experience of undergoing questioning, often in a formal or legal context.

FAQs

How is "was questioned about" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "was questioned about" often indicates that a person has been formally interviewed by law enforcement or legal professionals regarding their knowledge or involvement in a specific event. It implies an official inquiry but doesn't necessarily suggest guilt or wrongdoing.

What are some alternatives to "was questioned about" in academic writing?

In academic writing, you might use more formal alternatives such as "was interviewed about", "was investigated regarding", or "was examined regarding" to maintain a professional tone.

Is there a difference between "was questioned about" and "was interrogated about"?

"Was interrogated about" implies a more intense and possibly confrontational questioning session compared to "was questioned about". Interrogation often suggests that the person is suspected of something and the questions are aimed at uncovering the truth or eliciting a confession. The phrase "was questioned about" is more neutral.

When is it appropriate to use "was asked about" instead of "was questioned about"?

"Was asked about" is a more general and less formal alternative to "was questioned about". Use "was asked about" in situations where the questioning is casual or informal, or when you want to avoid implying any suspicion or official investigation. Otherwise, use "was questioned about".