interrogatively
gb/ˈɪntˈɛɹəɡətɪvli/ us/ˈɪntˈɛɹəɡətɪvli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a questioning way
in a way that shows you are asking a question
Usage pattern:
[say/ask/look] interrogatively
Common mistake:
Often confused with inquisitively; interrogatively can sound more direct or challenging, not just curious.
Synonyms
questioningly (Most direct and common synonym in everyday writing.)
|
inquisitively (Emphasizes curiosity more than direct questioning.)
Antonyms
declaratively (States something as a statement rather than a question.)
|
assertively (Expresses confidence or insistence rather than uncertainty.)
Collocations
ask interrogatively
|say interrogatively
|speak interrogatively
|look interrogatively
|glance interrogatively
|tilt (one's) head interrogatively
|raise an eyebrow interrogatively
|pause interrogatively
|repeat (something) interrogatively
|respond interrogatively
Themes
communication
|conversation
|emotions
Examples
- She looked at him interrogatively, as if waiting for an explanation.
- "You did what?" he repeated interrogatively.
- The witness answered calmly, but the lawyer kept pressing interrogatively.
Learner examples
- He asked interrogatively, "Why?"
- She looked at me interrogatively.
adverb
technical
C1
property
2
in the form of a question
using question grammar
Usage pattern:
use [word/phrase/clause] interrogatively
Common mistake:
Not the same as rhetorical; something can be interrogative in form but not intended as a real question.
Synonyms
as a question (Plain-language paraphrase rather than a technical adverb.)
Antonyms
declaratively (Using statement structure rather than question structure.)
Collocations
use (a word) interrogatively
|use (a phrase) interrogatively
|use (a clause) interrogatively
|function interrogatively
|be marked interrogatively
|sentence used interrogatively
Themes
language
|grammar
|writing
Examples
- In this line, the word is used interrogatively rather than as a relative pronoun.
- The clause can be read either declaratively or interrogatively, depending on intonation.
- The tag "isn't it?" turns the statement interrogatively.
Learner examples
- This sentence is used interrogatively.
- You can say it interrogatively to make it a question.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interrogatively
IPA
GB/ˈɪntˈɛɹəɡətɪvli/
US/ˈɪntˈɛɹəɡətɪvli/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - rog - at - ively (5 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: interrogatively
- Plural: interrogativelies
Word family
Forms
interrogativelies
noun
Core family
Related words
interrogator
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.