Cool MateInterrogate suspects vigorously vs Interview vs Probe
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interrogate suspects vigorously
Interview
Probe
| Interrogate suspects vigorously | Interview | Probe | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt səsˈpɛkts ˈvɪgərəsli//🇺🇸 //ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt sʌsˈpɛkts ˈvɪɡərəsli// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪntəvjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪntərvjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //prəʊb//🇺🇸 //proʊb// |
| Meaning | Question people to find out if they are guilty. | A meeting where someone is asked questions to get a job. | A tool to investigate or explore something deeply. |
| Example | The police had to **interrogate suspects vigorously** to gather evidence. | I have a job interview tomorrow at 10 AM. | The scientists sent a probe to study the surface of Mars. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | vigorously interrogate, interrogate suspects, vigorously question, interrogate a witness, interrogate someone | face-to-face, in-person, one-on-one, carry out, conduct, do, room, panel, techniques, in an/the interview, interview about, interview between, a round of interviews, face-to-face, in-person, one-on-one, carry out, conduct, do, room, panel, techniques, in an/the interview, interview about, interview between, a round of interviews, face-to-face, in-person, one-on-one, carry out, conduct, do, room, panel, techniques, in an/the interview, interview about, interview between, a round of interviews | space probe, medical probe, investigative probe, deep probe |
| Antonyms | - | dismissal, rejection | ignore, avoid |
| Common mistakes | Using 'interrogate' without an object (e.g., 'interrogate vigorously' without specifying who)., Confusing 'interrogate' with 'interview' which has a less forceful connotation. | Confusing 'interview' as a verb and a noun., Using a plural form incorrectly (e.g., 'interviews' when discussing one instance)., Not pairing the word properly with prepositions (e.g., saying 'interview for a job' instead of 'interview with a company'). | Confused with 'probe' as a verb instead of a noun., Used too generically; may not be appropriate in informal contexts. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is typically used in law enforcement contexts. It may sound too aggressive if used casually. | Use 'interview' in job contexts or when talking about a conversation where questions are asked. Avoid using it in casual situations not related to job hiring. | Used in scientific and technical contexts, as well as metaphorically in discussions about examining issues. Not commonly used in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Interrogate suspects vigorously vs Interview vs Probe
What's the difference between Interrogate suspects vigorously, Interview, and Probe?
Interrogate suspects vigorously: Question people to find out if they are guilty. Interview: A meeting where someone is asked questions to get a job. Probe: A tool to investigate or explore something deeply.
Which is more common: Interrogate suspects vigorously, Interview, and Probe?
Interview is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Interrogate suspects vigorously, Interview, and Probe?
Probe is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Interrogate suspects vigorously: The police had to **interrogate suspects vigorously** to gather evidence. Interview: I have a job interview tomorrow at 10 AM. Probe: The scientists sent a probe to study the surface of Mars.
Can I use Interrogate suspects vigorously, Interview, and Probe interchangeably?
Not always. Interrogate suspects vigorously, Interview, and Probe are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.