To investigate further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To investigate further" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the need to explore a topic or issue in more depth. Example: "The initial findings were inconclusive, so we decided to investigate further to gather more data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

To investigate further, I phoned the company.

The New York Times

To investigate further, I took my knobbed wand on the road.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Officials neglected to investigate further even after at least one television investigation exposed his work.

The New York Times

One to investigate further.

The Guardian - Sport

Identify one Olympic sport to investigate further.

The New York Times

Identify an artist from a foreign country to investigate further.

The New York Times

He tilted her head to one side to investigate further.

The Guardian

Choose a professional or Olympic athlete to investigate further.

The New York Times

The source was willing to investigate further, but wanted payment.

The New Yorker

Ms. Rojas said Mr. Ellis asked her to investigate further.

The New York Times

They're an enigma, but one you want to investigate further.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To investigate further" when you need a formal expression and context. Consider a more informal substitute if writing style is appropriate, such as "explore in more detail".

Common error

Avoid using "To investigate further" when the need for further investigation is already implied. For example, instead of saying "The evidence is inconclusive, so we need to investigate further", consider a more concise statement like "The evidence is inconclusive; further investigation is needed".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "To investigate further" is to act as an infinitive phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the purpose or reason for a particular action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used to express the need for additional inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To investigate further" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the necessity for a more in-depth inquiry. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used properly to introduce the aim to delve into a topic and is most commonly used in news and media and scientific context. While generally neutral to formal, it's essential to ensure the context clearly warrants the need for additional investigation. Alternatives such as "to explore in more detail" or "to examine more closely" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance. When writing or speaking, be mindful of the potential for redundancy and prioritize clarity and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To explore in more detail

Focuses on the exploratory aspect, implying a deeper dive into the subject.

To examine more closely

Emphasizes careful and detailed scrutiny of the subject.

To delve deeper into

Suggests a more profound and thorough exploration.

To inquire further into

Highlights the act of asking questions and seeking more information.

To research further

Implies a systematic and methodical study of the topic.

To look into more deeply

Similar to delving, but with a slightly less formal tone.

To probe more extensively

Suggests a thorough and potentially intrusive investigation.

To scrutinize further

Emphasizes critical observation and analysis.

To analyze in greater depth

Highlights the analytical aspect of the investigation.

To pursue additional investigation

Formal and emphasizes the act of continuing an inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "To investigate further" in a sentence?

You can use "To investigate further" to indicate a need for more in-depth exploration of a topic. For example, "The initial results were promising, so we decided to investigate further".

What are some alternatives to "To investigate further"?

Alternatives include "to explore in more detail", "to examine more closely", or "to delve deeper into", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify what you plan to investigate when using "To investigate further"?

While not always required, specifying the subject of investigation provides clarity and context. For example, instead of just saying "We need to investigate further", you could say "We need to investigate further the potential causes of the anomaly".

What's the difference between "To investigate further" and "To explore more"?

"To investigate further" implies a more structured and methodical inquiry, while "to explore more" suggests a broader and less defined approach. The best choice depends on the nature of the inquiry and the level of formality required.