we were questioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we were questioned" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone was asked questions by another person. For example, "The police officers questioned us for several hours after the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We were questioned extensively.

The New York Times

We were questioned delicately, resolutely investigated, and found guilty only of taking life too lightly.

The New York Times

Secondly, we were questioned at length about it when we were interviewed to be a free school, and that was to the [Department for Education]'s satisfaction.

The Guardian

We were questioned by police and followed by a surveillance detail of no fewer than three cars in the city of Aktau, and stopped again by police on our way to the oil town of Zhanaozen, where we were ordered to put away our phones and get out of the car for a proverka, a document check.

Independent

"We were questioned extensively, but now we can go on with our work — as long as we remain under the radar and present ourselves as a neutral association".

Vice

We were questioned and detained about our sincerity and commitment to bettering our world when they discovered that some (not all) of our music and media is less than desirable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"If we spend money from the regular budget head funded by foreign donors we are questioned.

BMC Health Services Research

The FBI was asking the same questions we were, questions we thought society should be asking, too.

BBC

We believe this should be questioned.

Protein & Cell

"We were getting questions about it," Mr. Eason said.

The New York Times

"We were discussing questions, not answers," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were questioned" when you want to emphasize the passive role of the subject, highlighting that questions were directed at them.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates who did the questioning. Vague sentences lacking this clarity can confuse the reader. Specify who conducted the questioning whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were questioned" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (we) received the action of being questioned. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were questioned" is a grammatically sound passive construction that describes an event where the subject received questions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, often to report on investigations or inquiries. Alternatives include "we were interviewed" or "we underwent questioning", offering subtle variations in formality and emphasis. When using "we were questioned", ensure clarity by specifying who conducted the questioning to avoid ambiguity. Overall, this phrase serves as a clear and effective way to describe the experience of being asked questions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we underwent questioning

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "underwent", to describe the process of being questioned.

we faced interrogation

This phrase implies a more intense and formal questioning process.

we were subjected to scrutiny

This suggests a detailed and critical examination, which may include questioning.

we were interviewed

This alternative is a more neutral term for a formal questioning session.

we were investigated

This suggests a more formal and potentially legal inquiry.

we were examined

This implies a careful and thorough questioning process.

we were checked

This is a less formal alternative, suggesting a routine questioning or verification process.

we were grilled

This implies an intense and possibly aggressive questioning.

we were probed

This suggests a deep and thorough investigation through questioning.

we were inquired of

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying we were asked questions.

FAQs

What does "we were questioned" mean?

It means that someone asked us questions, typically in a formal or investigative setting. The focus is on the experience of being asked questions, rather than who asked them.

When is it appropriate to use "we were questioned" instead of "we were asked questions"?

Use "we were questioned" when you want to emphasize the passive aspect of receiving questions, or when the identity of the questioner is unimportant or unknown. "We were asked questions" is more direct and active.

What are some alternatives to "we were questioned"?

You can use alternatives like "we were interviewed", "we underwent questioning", or "we faced interrogation" depending on the context and the intensity of the questioning.

Is "we were questioned" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were questioned" is generally considered neutral to formal. It can be used in news reports, formal investigations, and professional settings. More informal alternatives might include "we got asked about" or "they asked us stuff".