delving

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "delving" is correct and usable in written English, and it is typically used as a verb.
It means to investigate or explore in detail. Example: I am delving into the history of the conflict to better understand its causes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recently, he started the Aliens with Jones and MacLean, delving into thousands of songs that he'd been storing up.

The Guardian - Music

Kevin Farnsworth, a senior lecturer in social policy at the University of York, has spent the best part of a decade studying corporate welfare – delving through Whitehall spreadsheets and others, and poring over Companies House filings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, is not satisfied that the ECB's hallowed independence over monetary policy can avoid becoming sullied by the murky business of delving into banks.

The Economist

It involved delving deep into the devotional and doctrinal resources of Catholicism to withstand the challenges of Protestantism, the scientific revolution and the onset of modernity.

The Economist

But there are also fears that delving into past violence may reopen barely healed wounds and undermine the fragile government of national unity that has run the country since April.The first report, chaired by a South African judge, Johann Kriegler, focuses on the actual election and lambasts the electoral commission for massive bungling.

The Economist

In particular, she befriends the family of a brave general, Kamel Sachet Aziz al-Janabi, delving into his life story through his wife, several of his nine children and numerous friends and admirers.Only later does the reader discover that he was one of countless Iraqis executed by Saddam, for reasons that never become clear, in his case only a few years before the Americans toppled the dictator.

The Economist

Mr Ostrowski became interested in business aged 11, after delving into the ledgers of his father's plumbing firm.

The Economist

But before delving into politics, stop to look at the most important of the "exceptional" qualities: religion and patriotism.

The Economist

Local media are delving into the backgrounds of the nine judges on the Constitutional Court, who will decide on Mr Roh's case by a two-thirds majority.

The Economist

But it stands out from why-me stories of illness and family death by delving into the science of speech loss and the depression that commonly follows strokes.

The Economist

Meanwhile universities, with the government's blessing, have been offering diplomas in areas like law, sociology and inter-faith relations which, without delving into theology, are meant to be useful for religious practitioners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delving" when you want to emphasize a thorough and detailed investigation, often implying that the subject is complex or hidden.

Common error

Avoid using "delving" in contexts where a simpler word like "exploring" or "investigating" would suffice. Using "delving" in simple situations can sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "delving" is as a verb, specifically the present participle of the verb 'delve'. It often functions as part of a continuous verb tense or as a gerund/verbal noun. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies an act of thorough investigation or exploration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delving" is a versatile verb form used to describe a thorough and detailed investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is primarily employed in neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific articles, to convey a sense of in-depth exploration. While alternatives like "exploring" or "investigating" exist, "delving" emphasizes a deeper, more intensive inquiry. Use it to add nuance to your writing when precision and detail are important. Be cautious of overuse in simple situations to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exploring

This alternative is a more general term for investigating something.

investigating

This alternative suggests a more formal or systematic examination.

examining

This alternative is similar to investigating, but can also imply a more careful or detailed inspection.

probing

This alternative suggests a more intrusive or penetrating inquiry.

inquiring into

This alternative is more formal and suggests a systematic investigation.

researching

This alternative implies a more structured and academic approach to investigation.

scrutinizing

This alternative suggests a very careful and critical examination.

digging into

This alternative is more informal and suggests uncovering hidden information.

looking into

This alternative is a more casual way of saying investigating.

analyzing

This alternative focuses on breaking something down to understand its components.

FAQs

How can I use "delving" in a sentence?

You can use "delving" to describe an in-depth exploration or investigation. For example, "The researcher is delving into the causes of the disease" or "The book is about a detective delving into a complex mystery."

What words are similar to "delving"?

Alternatives to "delving" include "exploring", "investigating", "examining", and "researching". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "delving" formal or informal?

"Delving" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal term. It's appropriate for academic, professional, and news contexts.

What's the difference between "delving" and "exploring"?

"Delving" suggests a more intensive and thorough investigation than "exploring". You would delve into a complex subject, whereas you might explore a new city.