Interrogative

/ˌɪntəˈrɑːɡətɪv/
adjective

Related to asking questions or expressing doubt.

He had an interrogative look on his face.
Visual representation of "interrogative" - Related to asking questions or expressing doubt

Often appears as...

  • interrogative look
  • interrogative tone

Usage tips

Neutral

noun

A word or a grammatical construction used to ask a question.

In English, 'who', 'what', 'where', 'when', 'why', and 'how' are common interrogatives.
Visual representation of "interrogative" - A word or a grammatical construction used to ask a question

Often appears as...

  • common interrogatives
  • use an interrogative

Usage tips

Neutral

Academic

adjective

Showing that you want to know something.

She gave me an interrogative glance.
Visual representation of "interrogative" - Showing that you want to know something

Often appears as...

  • interrogative glance
  • interrogative expression

Usage tips

Neutral

adjective

Related to asking questions or expressing doubt.

He had an interrogative look on his face.
Visual representation of "interrogative" - Related to asking questions or expressing doubt

Often appears as...

  • interrogative look
  • interrogative tone

Usage tips

Neutral

noun

A word or a grammatical construction used to ask a question.

In English, 'who', 'what', 'where', 'when', 'why', and 'how' are common interrogatives.
Visual representation of "interrogative" - A word or a grammatical construction used to ask a question

Often appears as...

  • common interrogatives
  • use an interrogative

Usage tips

Neutral

Academic

adjective

Showing that you want to know something.

She gave me an interrogative glance.
Visual representation of "interrogative" - Showing that you want to know something

Often appears as...

  • interrogative glance
  • interrogative expression

Usage tips

Neutral

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "interrogative"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtle Doubt

Used to imply skepticism or uncertainty about what someone else said.

Illustration for Subtle Doubt
Her interrogative tone indicated she didn't fully believe my story.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Always Spoken

Can describe a questioning expression, not just spoken words.

Illustration for Not Always Spoken
His interrogative look prompted me to explain further.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Cultural Differences

An interrogative manner may be received differently across cultures; it's not always polite.

Illustration for Cultural Differences
In some cultures, an interrogative tone can seem rude.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtle Doubt

Used to imply skepticism or uncertainty about what someone else said.

Illustration for Subtle Doubt
Her interrogative tone indicated she didn't fully believe my story.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Always Spoken

Can describe a questioning expression, not just spoken words.

Illustration for Not Always Spoken
His interrogative look prompted me to explain further.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Cultural Differences

An interrogative manner may be received differently across cultures; it's not always polite.

Illustration for Cultural Differences
In some cultures, an interrogative tone can seem rude.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Subtle Doubt

Used to imply skepticism or uncertainty about what someone else said.

Illustration for Subtle Doubt
Her interrogative tone indicated she didn't fully believe my story.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Always Spoken

Can describe a questioning expression, not just spoken words.

Illustration for Not Always Spoken
His interrogative look prompted me to explain further.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Cultural Differences

An interrogative manner may be received differently across cultures; it's not always polite.

Illustration for Cultural Differences
In some cultures, an interrogative tone can seem rude.
Visual representation of the word "Interrogative"

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Video examples

I don't want children --...

At one point, the information being given to me started to feel agenda'd, interlaced with bias and inflated statistics. The questions began to feel interrogative.

Video examples

I don't want children --...

At one point, the information being given to me started to feel agenda'd, interlaced with bias and inflated statistics. The questions began to feel interrogative.

Example 1 of 1
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