a recent investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a recent investigation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a study or inquiry that has been conducted in the near past. Example: "According to a recent investigation, the effects of climate change are more severe than previously thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A recent investigation by the consumer group Which?

The Guardian - Business

A recent investigation set out to determine just what the change in policy has done.

Harvard University

He cited a recent investigation by his firm, involving male and female colleagues, as typical.

The New York Times

They cited a recent investigation of a cluster of childhood leukemia cases in Fallon, Nev.

The New York Times

A recent investigation by USA Today tallied 3,500 lawsuits involving Trump.

The Guardian

A recent investigation by the Brazilian magazine Revista Piauí presses precisely this question.

The New Yorker

This work extends a recent investigation that we have conducted for turbulent methane jet diffusion flames.

Combustion and Flame

Cohen said in a statement that he fired Dees after a recent investigation into misconduct.

The Washington Post

The degradation patterns found in Books of Hours, a recent investigation, are also discussed.

Microchemical Journal

A recent investigation by Helmand's provincial council found that approximately 40% of enlisted troops did not exist.

The Guardian

But she is a person of squeaky-clean integrity, as is evidenced by a recent investigation by a tabloid newspaper.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a recent investigation", clearly state the subject of the investigation and, if possible, the source or investigating body. This adds credibility and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a recent investigation" without providing any context or details about the investigation itself. This can make your statement vague and less impactful. Always aim to provide specific information or a reference to the investigation's findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a recent investigation" typically functions as a noun phrase, often used as the subject or part of the subject of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it introducing the findings or focus of a study, inquiry, or examination. As supported by Ludwig AI, the expression is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

44%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a recent investigation" is a commonly used noun phrase that introduces information derived from a study or inquiry conducted in the near past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. It is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using the phrase, it's best practice to provide specific details about the investigation to enhance credibility. Common errors include overgeneralization without specifics. Alternatives include "a recent study" or "a new inquiry". Overall, "a recent investigation" is a valuable tool for introducing findings and providing context in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a current study

Replaces "investigation" with "study", focusing on a scholarly examination.

a new inquiry

Substitutes "investigation" with "inquiry", highlighting the aspect of asking questions and gathering information.

a contemporary analysis

Replaces "investigation" with "analysis", focusing on a detailed examination and interpretation of data.

a present-day examination

Emphasizes the up-to-date nature of the "examination".

a late assessment

Replaces "investigation" with "assessment", referring to evaluate or judge the quality of someone or something.

a just-concluded study

Specifies that the study has recently finished.

an ongoing inquiry

Focuses on the continuous nature of the inquiry, though still recent.

a freshly conducted review

Highlights the newness of the "review".

a modern-day probe

Replaces "investigation" with "probe", suggesting a thorough search or examination.

a state-of-the-art review

Implies that the review uses the latest methods and technologies.

FAQs

How can I use "a recent investigation" in a sentence?

You can use "a recent investigation" to introduce findings or conclusions from a study conducted in the near past. For example, "A recent investigation by the EPA revealed concerning levels of pollutants in the river."

What are some alternatives to "a recent investigation"?

Alternatives include "a recent study", "a new inquiry", or "a contemporary analysis", depending on the specific context and the type of examination being referenced.

Is it better to say "a recent investigation" or "the recent investigation"?

The choice between "a recent investigation" and "the recent investigation" depends on whether you are referring to a specific, already identified investigation (use "the") or introducing a general investigation (use "a"). For example, "A recent investigation has shown..." versus "The recent investigation into the scandal revealed...".

What makes an investigation "recent"?

The term "recent" is subjective, but in most contexts, it implies that the investigation was conducted within the last few years. The specific timeframe can vary depending on the field and the topic being discussed. If it is older than that it should be better described as "a past investigation".