were interrogated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were interrogated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals are questioned or examined, often in a legal or investigative setting. Example: "The suspects were interrogated by the police for several hours to gather more information about the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When prisoners were interrogated at Abu Ghraib, we called it "enhanced interrogation" instead of what it really was: torture.

Huffington Post

Writers were interrogated.

The Guardian - Books

Imprisoned in soccer stadiums, they were interrogated.

The New York Times

Dozens were interrogated, detained, harassed and punished.

The New York Times

DR. SAUTER: You were interrogated there, weren't you?

Yale University

Officials said three Syrians on the plane were interrogated.

The New York Times

They were interrogated, beaten, and shot, but they survived.

The New Yorker

They were interrogated about their ties to the Taliban.

The New York Times

Construction workers were interrogated on the likely opening date.

The New Yorker

Modified and synergistic (SBS and HL) mixtures were interrogated.

Construction and Building Materials

A waterfall and a mountain were interrogated too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or investigative contexts, "were interrogated" accurately conveys the formal and often rigorous nature of the questioning process.

Common error

Avoid using "were interrogated" in casual situations; opt for gentler alternatives like "were asked" or "were questioned" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were interrogated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being questioned, typically in a formal or investigative setting. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and frequently observed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were interrogated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys that individuals have undergone a formal and often rigorous questioning process, typically in legal, investigative, or academic contexts. While "were interrogated" is common in news and media, science, and academic writing, it's crucial to avoid overuse in informal situations where gentler alternatives like "were questioned" or "were interviewed" may be more appropriate. Understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were questioned

A more general and less intense term for asking questions, suitable for less formal situations.

were examined

Implies a more thorough and systematic investigation through questioning.

were investigated

Suggests a formal inquiry to uncover facts or evidence.

were interviewed

Typically refers to a structured conversation to gather information.

were cross-examined

Indicates a more adversarial questioning process, often in legal settings.

were probed

Suggests a deep and persistent questioning to uncover hidden information.

were grilled

An informal term suggesting intense and aggressive questioning.

were scrutinized

Implies careful and critical examination, including questioning.

were debriefed

Refers to a structured interview to gather information after an event or mission.

were surveyed

Indicates data was gathered through structured queries, usually for statistical purposes.

FAQs

How to use "were interrogated" in a sentence?

You can use "were interrogated" to describe a formal questioning process, such as "The suspects "were interrogated" by the detectives" or "The witnesses "were interrogated" about the incident".

What can I say instead of "were interrogated"?

Alternatives include "were questioned", "were examined", or "were interviewed", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Which is correct, "were interrogated" or "was interrogated"?

"Were interrogated" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "they were interrogated"), while "was interrogated" is used for singular subjects (e.g., "he was interrogated").

What's the difference between "were questioned" and "were interrogated"?

"Were questioned" is a general term for asking questions, while "were interrogated" implies a more thorough, formal, and potentially aggressive questioning, often associated with legal or investigative settings. It suggests a more intense process than simply "were questioned".