do some digging

USAGE SUMMARY

"do some digging" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to suggest that someone should research a subject or look into something in more detail. For example, "If you want to know more about the history of the area, you should do some digging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 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

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

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

He did the same the month before in San Francisco, and next month he'll do some digging in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The New York Times

We tried to do some digging during the five years when the Taliban were here, but it was difficult.

The Guardian - Books

But according to Mr. Loeb's letter, Mr. Thompson's credentials don't mesh with information listed on other online sites – a discrepancy that led Mr. Loeb to do some digging.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 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

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

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do some digging" when you want to encourage someone to investigate a topic thoroughly, but not necessarily in a formal or official way. It's suitable for suggesting research, exploration, or fact-finding.

Common error

Avoid using "do some digging" in highly formal or professional reports where a more precise term like "investigate" or "research" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do some digging" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase to suggest an informal investigation or research. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do some digging" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to suggest an informal investigation or research. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its versatility in encouraging exploration and fact-finding. While frequently found in news and media, it's less common in formal academic or scientific writing. When writing, remember that more precise alternatives like "investigate" or "research" may be more suitable for formal reports. The phrase is well-supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times, Forbes and The Guardian, underscoring its widespread acceptance and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate further

Focuses more on a formal or official inquiry.

research thoroughly

Emphasizes the depth and comprehensiveness of the investigation.

look into it

A more casual and less intensive form of investigation.

delve deeper

Suggests a more profound and insightful exploration.

explore the matter

Highlights a broad and open-ended approach to understanding a subject.

conduct an inquiry

Implies a structured and methodical investigation.

scrutinize the details

Focuses on careful and critical examination of specific elements.

probe the issue

Suggests a more aggressive and intrusive investigation.

get to the bottom of it

Emphasizes finding the fundamental cause or truth.

unearth the facts

Suggests discovering hidden or obscured information.

FAQs

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

You can use "do some digging" to suggest someone should investigate a topic or issue. For example, "If you want to understand the company's performance, you should "do some digging" into their financial reports."

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

You can use alternatives like "investigate further", "research thoroughly", or "look into it" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "do some digging"?

It's appropriate to use "do some digging" in informal and semi-formal contexts when you want to encourage someone to explore or investigate something. It's less appropriate for formal reports or official inquiries.

What's the difference between "do some digging" and "conduct an investigation"?

"Do some digging" is less formal and suggests a less structured approach than "conduct an investigation". The latter implies a methodical and often official inquiry.