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 obtaining a confession. [interrogated: past tense]
Example
The journalist interrogated the politician about their controversial decision. [interrogated: past participle]
question
Example
I have a question about the homework assignment. [question: noun]
Example
The detective questioned the witness about what they saw that night. [questioned: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Question is a more common word than interrogate and is used in a wider range of contexts. Interrogate is more specific and is typically only used in legal or law enforcement settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between interrogate and question?
Interrogate is a more formal word than question and is typically only used in serious or professional contexts. Question is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
