we were interrogating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were interrogating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing an ongoing action of questioning someone, typically in a formal or investigative setting. Example: "During the investigation, we were interrogating the suspect to gather more information about the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sequence space we were interrogating comprised an entire genome, and the shRNA sequences we identified were selected from a random library, are unlikely to exist in nature, and may act by non-canonical mechanisms.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"At Bagram, we were totally forbidden to talk to other prisoners and when we were interrogated we were blindfolded," he said.

The Guardian

"We were bundled into the back of a Jeep and taken to a military base where we were interrogated for two or three hours.

Independent

And when we got there, we were interrogated.

Huffington Post

We were interrogated for two days before I was sentenced to nine years in prison for human trafficking.

Huffington Post

"Of course, we were interrogated by police and intelligence service's officers on some occasions," she continues.

Vice

While crossing the border, we were interrogated about our visit and relationship, and he said that we were married and going to visit relatives in India although we were not married.

Global Health Action

We have been able to get to all the nooks and crannies and we are interrogating them".

The Guardian

"There are five people we have, all men, who we are interrogating over this matter this morning," he said.

Independent

The movie, in all its clumsy camp glory, may play better at a moment when we're interrogating a Church that, by many measures, is stronger in Asia and Africa and Latin Americaa) than in Italy.

The New Yorker

A paramount advantage of the simultaneous acquisition option is that we are interrogating and measuring the tissues of the patient at exactly the same time.

European Radiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were interrogating", ensure the context aligns with the intensity of the term, as it implies a formal and possibly adversarial questioning. Consider milder alternatives like "questioning" or "interviewing" if the situation is less formal.

Common error

Avoid using "we were interrogating" in everyday conversation. The term carries a strong connotation of formal questioning, often by authorities. For casual scenarios, opt for phrases like "we were asking" or "we were talking to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were interrogating" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the past continuous tense. It indicates an ongoing action of questioning someone or something at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were interrogating" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past action of questioning, generally within formal or investigative contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it effectively conveys a sense of rigorous questioning, it's important to consider the context and formality of the situation to ensure appropriate use. For less formal scenarios, alternatives like "we were questioning" or "we were interviewing" might be more suitable. This phrase sees frequent usage in contexts related to news media and science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were questioning

Emphasizes the act of asking questions, less formal than interrogating.

we were querying

Similar to questioning, but may imply a more structured or data-driven approach.

we were probing

Suggests a deeper, more investigative style of questioning to uncover hidden information.

we were examining

Focuses on a detailed inspection or analysis, which may involve questioning.

we were interviewing

Implies a formal setting where questions are asked to gather information from someone.

we were investigating

Broader term that encompasses questioning as part of a larger process of inquiry.

we were debriefing

Focuses on gathering information after an event, typically from someone involved.

we were canvassing

Implies questioning numerous people to gather opinions or information, often in a political or marketing context.

we were auditing

Suggests a systematic review and verification, which may include questioning individuals.

we were checking

Implies a simple verification process that may involve asking direct questions.

FAQs

What is the difference between "we were interrogating" and "we were questioning"?

"We were interrogating" suggests a formal, often intense, questioning process, typically used by authorities or in investigative contexts. "We were questioning" is a more general term for asking questions and can be used in less formal situations.

When is it appropriate to use "we were interrogating"?

Use "we were interrogating" when describing a formal questioning process, such as by law enforcement, investigators, or in a context where detailed and potentially challenging questions are being asked. It implies a more rigorous inquiry than simply "we were asking".

What are some alternatives to "we were interrogating" in a less formal setting?

In a less formal setting, you can use phrases such as "we were questioning", "we were interviewing", or "we were talking to" instead of "we were interrogating". These options lack the intensity implied by the word "interrogating".

Is "we were interrogating" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were interrogating" is grammatically correct. It is the past continuous tense of the verb "interrogate", used to describe an ongoing action of questioning in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.