begin investigating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin investigating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the start of an inquiry or examination into a particular subject or issue. Example: "The committee decided to begin investigating the allegations of misconduct immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

2007 – The police begin investigating the "cash for honours" scandal.

Independent

The office said it would begin investigating within two months.

The New York Times

Again, health officials would be alerted to begin investigating.

The New York Times

The government announced that it would begin investigating their activities.

The New York Times

Obtaining highly purified proteins is essential to begin investigating their functional and structural properties.

Analytical Biochemistry

They begin investigating her background, knowing that the case hinges on her credibility.

The New York Times

Federal health officials begin investigating the case of a lab worker who contracted AIDS.

The New York Times - Science

"It's time to begin investigating, hire outside auditors and find out what is really going on".

The New York Times

When designing a 3D object, designers, engineers and teachers often begin investigating potential design tradeoffs by creating informal sketches.

Computer-Aided Design

In 2005, Kirchner supported the repeal of two amnesty laws, and he instructed prosecutors to begin investigating.

The New Yorker

See articleThe leaders of Thailand's military coup resurrected a dormant corruption commission so it could begin investigating the previous government.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin investigating" to clearly indicate the commencement of a formal or official inquiry. This phrase is appropriate for reports, articles, and professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "begin investigating" when the context already implies the start of an investigation. For example, instead of saying "After the incident, they began investigating," simply state "After the incident, they investigated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin investigating" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an investigative process. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various contexts, demonstrating its role in signaling the start of an inquiry or examination. The aiResponseStatus confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "begin investigating" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb phrase, widely used to indicate the start of an investigative process. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a broad array of contexts, from news reports and scientific studies to academic discussions. While frequently found in News & Media and Science, its usage extends to other areas as well.

When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context warrants a clear indication of the start of an inquiry, preventing redundancy. Alternatives such as ""start to investigate"" or ""commence investigation"" can be employed to subtly adjust the tone and formality of your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "begin investigating" into your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start to investigate

Replaces "begin" with "start", offering a more informal tone.

commence investigation

Uses a more formal term, "commence", instead of "begin", lending a more professional feel.

initiate an inquiry

Substitutes "investigating" with "inquiry", altering the nature of the search from an investigation to an inquiry, but keeping the starting idea.

launch an investigation

Replaces "begin" with "launch", emphasizing the immediate and active commencement of the process.

undertake an investigation

Emphasizes the commitment and effort involved in the investigation.

look into

An idiomatic alternative, less formal and more conversational than "begin investigating".

start exploring

Replaces investigating with exploring, a more softer investigation.

delve into

Suggests a deeper, more thorough investigation.

probe into

Implies a more intrusive or detailed form of investigation.

carry out an investigation

Focuses on the execution of the investigation.

FAQs

What does "begin investigating" mean?

The phrase "begin investigating" means to start an inquiry, examination, or formal investigation into a particular situation, event, or allegation.

How can I use "begin investigating" in a sentence?

You can use "begin investigating" to indicate the commencement of an inquiry. For example, "The police will "start to investigate" the case immediately" or "The committee decided to "launch an investigation" into the matter."

What are some alternatives to "begin investigating"?

Alternatives include "start to investigate", "commence investigation", "launch an investigation", or "look into" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "begin investigating" formal or informal?

"Begin investigating" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional and official contexts. More informal options include "look into" or "check out".