were interviewed

USAGE SUMMARY

"were interviewed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happened in the past. For example, "The researchers were interviewed by the press about their recent findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

were interviewed.

Safety Science

615 persons were interviewed.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

They were interviewed.

The New York Times

23 supervisors were interviewed.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Eighteen respondents were interviewed.

Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery

No others were interviewed.

The New York Times - Arts

We were interviewed.

The Guardian

Hysterical parents were interviewed.

The Guardian - Books

Twelve executive leaders were interviewed.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

Thirty-five patients were interviewed.

Burns

Respondents were interviewed on-line.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were interviewed", ensure the context clearly indicates who conducted the interviews and what the purpose of the interviews was. Providing this information adds clarity and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was interviewed" when referring to multiple subjects; "were interviewed" is the correct plural form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were interviewed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being interviewed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. For instance, "The witnesses were interviewed by the police."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0.02%

Wiki

0.01%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were interviewed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates individuals participated in a formal interview process. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely applicable across various writing contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia. When using "were interviewed", ensure clarity by specifying who conducted the interview and its purpose. While the phrase is generally neutral, its formality can vary depending on the context. Remember to use "were interviewed" for plural subjects and "was interviewed" for singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participated in interviews

This alternative shifts the focus to the action of taking part in interviews, rather than being the subject of them.

were questioned

This alternative focuses on the act of asking questions, implying a more direct and potentially challenging interaction than a general interview.

were surveyed

This term emphasizes the collection of data through surveys, suggesting a broader and more quantitative approach than individual interviews.

were interrogated

This phrase suggests a more intense and formal questioning, often associated with legal or investigative contexts.

were consulted

This implies seeking advice or opinions from experts, differing from a standard interview which may gather information from anyone.

were examined

This term indicates a detailed inspection or investigation, suggesting a more thorough assessment than a simple interview.

took part in discussions

Highlights active involvement in broader discussions, moving beyond the structured format of an interview.

were debriefed

This refers to a structured conversation to gather information after an event or experience, often in military or intelligence contexts.

underwent assessment

This focuses on the evaluation aspect, where individuals are being judged or appraised, usually in a professional or academic context.

were canvassed

This suggests a systematic effort to reach out to a large group of people to gather opinions or support, common in political campaigns.

FAQs

How can I use "were interviewed" in a sentence?

You can use "were interviewed" to indicate that a group of people participated in an interview, such as "The candidates "were interviewed" by the hiring committee".

What are some alternatives to saying "were interviewed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were questioned", "were surveyed", or "were consulted".

Is it correct to say "was interviewed" instead of "were interviewed"?

"Was interviewed" is singular, while "were interviewed" is plural. Use "was interviewed" when referring to a single person and "were interviewed" when referring to multiple people.

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

"Were interviewed" implies a standard information-gathering process, while "were interrogated" suggests a more intense and formal questioning, often in a legal context.