did some digging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'did some digging' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to conducting research or looking deeper into something. Example: I did some digging and found out that the abandoned farmhouse on the edge of town was built in the late 1800s.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I did some digging.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Krause and his team also did some digging.

The New York Times

We did some digging, and it looks as if Pelosi's U2 fandom has been hard-won.

The Washington Post

Pyper did some digging and told the farmer in Kentucky there was no court hearing.

The Washington Post

Aliza did some digging and turns out, there's a dearth of research on painful periods.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Morgan did some digging into the clinic and was not convinced.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

We decide we had better do some digging ourselves.

The New York Times - Arts

If they recommend you do some digging to prepare for an interview, do it.

Harvard Business Review

As an independent, outside observer, an analyst is supposed to do some digging.

The New York Times

Some pousadas come up on search sites like Hotels.com, but in general you need to do some digging.

The New York Times

(The Web site, by contrast, forces you to do some digging before you find the nearest locations).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did some digging" when you want to convey that you've put in effort to uncover information, but avoid it in formal reports where "conducted research" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "did some digging" in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives such as "conducted an investigation" or "performed a detailed analysis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did some digging" functions as an idiomatic expression to describe the act of researching or investigating something. It suggests an informal, yet determined, effort to uncover information. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did some digging" is a common and acceptable way to describe conducting research or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it's best suited for neutral or informal contexts, with more formal alternatives available for academic or professional writing. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of your writing, opting for alternatives like "conducted some research" or "investigated the matter" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did some investigating

A more formal alternative to "digging", suggesting a systematic approach.

conducted some research

Replaces "digging" with a more formal term, "research", indicating a structured investigation.

carried out an investigation

A formal and structured approach to finding information.

delved into the details

Indicates a deeper and more thorough investigation, focusing on specific details.

investigated the matter

A more formal way of saying "did some digging", implying a more thorough examination.

explored the issue

Implies a broad examination of all aspects of the issue, like conducting research.

looked into it

More casual alternative that indicates a general investigation without specifying depth.

uncovered information

Focuses on the act of revealing hidden or previously unknown facts.

made inquiries

Suggests asking questions and gathering information from various sources.

sought out the truth

Emphasizes the intention of finding the real facts, often in a situation involving deception.

FAQs

What does "did some digging" mean?

The phrase "did some digging" means to have conducted research or investigated something to uncover information. It implies effort and a desire to find out more about a particular topic.

What can I say instead of "did some digging"?

You can use alternatives like "conducted some research", "investigated the matter", or "explored the issue" depending on the context.

Is "did some digging" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "did some digging" is generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "carried out an investigation" or "delved into the details".

How do I use "did some digging" in a sentence?

You can use "did some digging" in sentences like: "I did some digging and found out the company's history" or "After the incident, the police did some digging to uncover the truth".