are looking into

USAGE SUMMARY

"are looking into" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to investigating or examining a situation or issue. Example: "The team is looking into the recent complaints." Alternative expressions include "are investigating" and "are examining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We are looking into that".

The New York Times

"People are looking into hotels.

The New York Times

We are looking into those payments".

Independent

We are looking into the complaint.

Independent

We are looking into this situation closely.

Independent

We are looking into this matter".

The New Yorker

We are looking into other options.

The New York Times

Investigators are looking into it.

The New York Times

The group are looking into solar energy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prosecutors are looking into the case.

The Guardian - Music

But we are looking into improvements".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, this phrase serves as a diplomatic way to acknowledge a problem while assuring the recipient that action is being taken.

Common error

Do not follow the phrase with redundant prepositions like "about". Writers sometimes mistakenly say "we are looking into about the situation". Since "into" already functions as the preposition indicating the direction of the inquiry, adding another is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are looking into" functions as the present continuous form of a phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it combines the auxiliary verb "are" with the participle "looking" and the preposition "into" to denote an ongoing action. It typically requires a direct object, representing the subject of the inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Tech & Science

10%

Less common in

Creative Writing

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are looking into" is a highly reliable and versatile phrasal verb used to describe active investigations. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and common expression across authoritative news and professional domains. Whether used in a legal context by "prosecutors" or in a technical context by "developers", it successfully communicates that an issue is being taken seriously and examined thoroughly. It strikes a perfect balance between being informative and maintaining a neutral, professional distance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are investigating

Carries a stronger connotation of formal or legal inquiry

are examining

Suggests a more detailed or physical inspection of specific components

are reviewing

Implies a re-evaluation of existing information or procedures

are exploring

Sounds more tentative or open-ended, often used for new possibilities

are researching

Specifically denotes a scientific or academic pursuit of knowledge

are evaluating

Focuses on judging the value or effectiveness of something

are considering

Focuses on the decision-making process rather than the search for facts

are probing

Suggests a deep, perhaps intrusive, search for hidden information

are scrutinizing

Emphasizes a very critical and close examination for flaws

are checking into

A slightly more informal variation often used in casual settings

FAQs

What is the difference between "are looking into" and "are investigating"?

While both imply an inquiry, "are investigating" often sounds more formal or legalistic. In contrast, "are looking into" is more versatile and can be used for everything from checking a bug in a software app to a police inquiry.

Can I use "are looking into" in a formal report?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal reports. However, for a more academic or highly technical tone, you might prefer "are examining" or "are analyzing".

Is "are looking into" the same as "are looking at"?

Not exactly. "are looking at" usually refers to visual observation or considering an option, whereas "are looking into" specifically implies a deeper search for information or a solution to a problem.

What can I say instead of "we are looking into the matter" in a business email?

Depending on the urgency, you could use "we are addressing the issue" or "we are currently reviewing your request".