an initial investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial investigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the first stage of examining or exploring a situation, issue, or case. Example: "The police conducted an initial investigation into the reported theft before proceeding with further inquiries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After discussions with then CIA director Michael Hayden, the committee began an initial investigation.

The Guardian

Prosecutors and regulators rely heavily on companies to conduct an initial investigation and report the results.

The New York Times

Cases involving Israeli forces wounding or killing Palestinians rarely make it beyond an initial investigation.

The New York Times

If Bradley publishes a PIIN, Ofcom will conduct an initial investigation, reporting back in 40 working days.

The Guardian - Business

The energy regulator, Ofgem, finally unveiled an initial investigation and quickly concluded a wider probe involving the CMA was needed.

The Guardian - Business

To provide an initial investigation into the issue, we surveyed 270 Mississippi State students.

The International Food and Agribusiness Management Review

Using the images so far produced, an initial investigation of topological contrast has been performed.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

Hence, this paper only covers an initial investigation and gives directions for future work.

Applied Soft Computing

This is an initial investigation into diesel engine fuel path control.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said his agency performed an initial investigation in anticipation of NTSB's arrival.

The Washington Post

Earlier, Italy's interior minister said an initial investigation indicated that the bombs might have been the work of anarchists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an initial investigation", ensure that subsequent steps or a more detailed investigation will follow to provide a complete picture or solution.

Common error

Avoid treating the findings of "an initial investigation" as definitive conclusions. Always emphasize that further analysis or research is needed to confirm preliminary results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial investigation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness, with numerous examples illustrating its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an initial investigation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the preliminary phase of an inquiry. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile, appearing in news, scientific, and business contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "a preliminary inquiry" or "a first look", understanding its specific connotation is crucial for effective communication. Therefore, always remember that an "initial investigation" is just the beginning and should not be taken as a final conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary inquiry

Emphasizes the questioning aspect of the initial process.

a basic assessment

Highlights the evaluative aspect of the beginning stages.

an early review

Stresses the timeliness and preliminary nature of the review.

a first look

Suggests a brief and high-level examination.

a quick probe

Implies a rapid and focused examination.

a fact-finding mission

Focuses on gathering data and information at the outset.

a scoping study

Suggests a broader examination to determine the scope of a problem or project.

a pilot study

Indicates a small-scale study to test the feasibility of a larger one.

a surface examination

Implies a cursory inspection without delving into details.

a top-level review

Suggests a review conducted by high-level personnel or focusing on broad aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial investigation" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial investigation" to describe the first stage of examining a situation. For example, "An initial investigation revealed several potential leads."

What's a good alternative to "an initial investigation"?

Alternatives include "a preliminary inquiry", "a first look", or "a basic assessment", depending on the context.

How does "an initial investigation" differ from a full investigation?

"An initial investigation" is a preliminary step to gather basic facts, while a full investigation is more thorough and detailed, involving extensive data collection and analysis.

Is it appropriate to make definitive conclusions based on "an initial investigation"?

No, it's generally not appropriate. "An initial investigation" provides preliminary insights and should be followed by further, more comprehensive research before drawing firm conclusions.