being investigated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being investigated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a subject or entity that is currently under examination or scrutiny, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The company is being investigated for potential violations of environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is being investigated".

The New York Times

These are being investigated.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm not being investigated".

The New Yorker

Who's not being investigated?

The New York Times - Sports

The details are being investigated".

The New Yorker

"The matter is being investigated.

BBC

The cause is being investigated.

The New York Times

These are being investigated separately.

The Guardian

That's exactly what's being investigated".

The Guardian

New dynamics are being investigated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The complaints are being investigated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being investigated", clearly state by whom the investigation is being conducted to provide context and credibility. For example, "The matter is being investigated by the FBI".

Common error

Avoid using "being investigated" when the investigation has already concluded. Instead, use past tense forms like "was investigated" or "has been investigated".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being investigated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of investigation, rather than performing it. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being investigated" is a very common passive verb phrase used to describe a state of current scrutiny or examination, often by an authority. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from diverse sources. Its grammatical status is correct, and it is frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to specify who is conducting the investigation for clarity. Avoid using it if the investigation is already complete. Related phrases include "under scrutiny" and "subject to inquiry", offering alternative ways to express a similar concept. Understanding these nuances will improve the accuracy and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under scrutiny

Replaces the verb phrase with a prepositional phrase, emphasizing the state of being watched closely.

subject to inquiry

Uses a more formal noun "inquiry" instead of "investigation", suggesting a formal examination.

under examination

Employs a broader term, "examination", indicating a detailed inspection or study.

looked into

Offers a more informal and concise alternative, suitable for less formal contexts.

being probed

Uses a more direct and often intense verb, suggesting a thorough and perhaps aggressive inquiry.

under a cloud

Introduces a metaphorical expression, indicating suspicion or doubt surrounding the subject.

subject of a probe

Similar to "subject to inquiry" but uses "probe", suggesting a more intense investigation.

in the process of being vetted

Implies a screening process to assess suitability or reliability.

receiving scrutiny

Highlights the action of scrutiny being directed toward the subject.

under official review

Indicates a formal assessment or evaluation by an authority.

FAQs

How to use "being investigated" in a sentence?

Use "being investigated" to describe a current state of examination or scrutiny, for example: "The company is "under investigation" for fraud."

What can I say instead of "being investigated"?

You can use alternatives like "under scrutiny", "subject to inquiry", or "under examination", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "being investigated" or "under investigation"?

Both "being investigated" and ""under investigation"" are correct, but "under investigation" is often more concise and preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "being investigated" and "investigated"?

"Being investigated" indicates a process that is currently ongoing. "Investigated", without "being", implies that the investigation has already taken place, as in "The incident was "investigated" last year".