continue to investigate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to investigate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the ongoing process of examining or looking into a matter further. Example: "The police have decided to continue to investigate the case until all leads are exhausted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Federal investigators continue to investigate the incident.

Los Angeles Times

We continue to investigate the situation and are cooperating fully with law enforcement's investigation.

TechCrunch

Detectives continue to investigate.

The New York Times

They continue to investigate those cases.

The New York Times

"The Libyan government will continue to investigate".

The Guardian

"We continue to investigate this case.

The Guardian

"We'll continue to investigate," he said.

The New York Times

Authorities continue to investigate the homicide.

The Washington Post

Cook said the US would continue to investigate the incident.

The Guardian

Regulators continue to investigate other banks as well.

The New York Times

Police have vowed to continue to investigate Godden-Edwards's death.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continue to investigate", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being investigated. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Ensure the subject of the investigation is clear. Avoid using "continue to investigate" without specifying what is being investigated, as this can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to investigate" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action of examining something in detail. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The phrase suggests a process that has already started and is now being prolonged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continue to investigate" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that indicates an ongoing investigative action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly correct and suitable for use in written English. The analysis shows it's most frequently used in news and media contexts, though it appears in scientific and business settings as well. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the investigation. Alternative phrases like "keep investigating" or "further investigate" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

further investigate

This alternative focuses on advancing the investigation to a deeper level.

keep investigating

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes persistence.

carry on the investigation

This option simply means to proceed with the investigation.

pursue the investigation

This alternative highlights the active following of leads and gathering of information.

undertake further investigation

This is more formal, implying a structured and official inquiry.

persist in investigating

This alternative emphasizes determination and resolve in the investigation.

maintain the inquiry

Focuses on the sustained effort of the investigative process.

look into further

This is a more casual way of saying to investigate more.

probe further into

This alternative implies a more in-depth and thorough examination.

reopen the investigation

This specifies that an investigation is being started again after being closed.

FAQs

How can I use "continue to investigate" in a sentence?

You can use "continue to investigate" to indicate an ongoing process of examination. For example, "The detectives will continue to investigate the crime scene for more clues".

What are some alternatives to "continue to investigate"?

Some alternatives include "keep investigating", "further investigate", or "pursue the investigation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "continue to investigating"?

No, the correct form is "continue to investigate". The infinitive form "to investigate" should follow the verb "continue".

What is the difference between "continue to investigate" and "begin to investigate"?

"Continue to investigate" implies that an investigation is already underway, whereas "begin to investigate" means that an investigation is just starting.