What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
interrogate
Example
The police interrogated the suspect for hours before finally releasing him. [interrogated: past tense]
Example
The lawyer interrogated the witness to get more information about the case. [interrogating: present participle]
grill
Example
The journalist grilled the politician about his controversial statements. [grilled: past tense]
Example
The detective grilled the suspect to get more information about the crime. [grilling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grill is more commonly used than interrogate in everyday language. Grill is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while interrogate is less common and typically used in more formal or official settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interrogate and grill?
Interrogate is typically more formal than grill, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, both words can be used in formal settings depending on the context.