Cool MateInterrogate suspects vigorously vs Probe vs Question
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Interrogate suspects vigorously
Probe
Question
| Interrogate suspects vigorously | Probe | Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt səsˈpɛkts ˈvɪgərəsli//🇺🇸 //ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt sʌsˈpɛkts ˈvɪɡərəsli// | 🇬🇧 //prəʊb//🇺🇸 //proʊb// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkwestʃən/"]/ |
| Meaning | Question people to find out if they are guilty. | A tool to investigate or explore something deeply. | A sentence or phrase that asks for information. |
| Example | The police had to **interrogate suspects vigorously** to gather evidence. | The scientists sent a probe to study the surface of Mars. | The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | vigorously interrogate, interrogate suspects, vigorously question, interrogate a witness, interrogate someone | space probe, medical probe, investigative probe, deep probe | awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, awkward, difficult, embarrassing, ask (somebody), have, address, question about, question as to, question concerning to, burning, challenging, controversial, bring up, pose, raise, arise, go unanswered, remain unanswered, question about, question for, question of, come into, call into, be open to, beyond question, in question, without question |
| Antonyms | - | ignore, avoid | answer, solution |
| Common mistakes | Using 'interrogate' without an object (e.g., 'interrogate vigorously' without specifying who)., Confusing 'interrogate' with 'interview' which has a less forceful connotation. | Confused with 'probe' as a verb instead of a noun., Used too generically; may not be appropriate in informal contexts. | Confusing 'question' with 'query' in formal contexts., Using 'questions' as a singular noun, e.g., 'I have a question' instead of 'I have questions.' |
| Usage notes | This phrase is typically used in law enforcement contexts. It may sound too aggressive if used casually. | Used in scientific and technical contexts, as well as metaphorically in discussions about examining issues. Not commonly used in casual conversation. | Use 'question' in both formal and informal settings. It's appropriate in classrooms, interviews, and casual conversations. Avoid using in situations where a statement is expected. |
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Frequently asked questions: Interrogate suspects vigorously vs Probe vs Question
What's the difference between Interrogate suspects vigorously, Probe, and Question?
Interrogate suspects vigorously: Question people to find out if they are guilty. Probe: A tool to investigate or explore something deeply. Question: A sentence or phrase that asks for information.
Which is more common: Interrogate suspects vigorously, Probe, and Question?
Question is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Interrogate suspects vigorously, Probe, and Question?
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. Probe: The scientists sent a probe to study the surface of Mars. Question: The teacher asked a difficult question during the exam.
Can I use Interrogate suspects vigorously, Probe, and Question interchangeably?
Not always. Interrogate suspects vigorously, Probe, and Question 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.