doing an investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing an investigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining or inquiring into a particular matter or situation. Example: "The police are currently doing an investigation into the recent thefts in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

And not just digging — I mean doing an investigation".

The New Yorker

I guess they like it that I'm doing an investigation and trying to hold people accountable".

The New York Times

"The officer has been put on modified assignment, and we'll be doing an investigation.

The New York Times

"I think they simply want to pretend they are doing an investigation.

The New York Times

"But from a perception perspective, there needs to be an independent entity doing an investigation.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are doing an investigation to see if our officers who responded acted appropriately," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

If I do, an investigation will commence.

The New York Times

The corresponding level did an investigation.

The New York Times

I did not do an investigation of that.

The Washington Post

If there is a car accident, you do an investigation".

The New York Times

But he added: "They need to do an investigation".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about investigations, use active voice to clearly indicate who is conducting the investigation. For example, instead of "An investigation is being done", write "The police are doing an investigation."

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is performing the investigation. For example, avoid saying "An investigation was done" without specifying who did it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing an investigation" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doing an investigation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively describes the action of examining facts to uncover the truth. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and formal settings. While alternatives like "conducting an investigation" offer a more formal tone, "doing an investigation" remains a clear and understandable option. Common errors, such as overuse of passive voice, can be easily avoided by clearly specifying who is conducting the investigation. This phrase is versatile and widely accepted, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducting an inquiry

Replaces "investigation" with "inquiry", emphasizing a formal examination.

carrying out an investigation

Uses "carrying out" instead of "doing", providing a more formal tone.

performing an investigation

Substitutes "doing" with "performing", suggesting a structured process.

undertaking an investigation

Employs "undertaking" to highlight the initiation of an investigation.

pursuing an investigation

Focuses on the active continuation of the investigative process.

leading an investigation

Highlights the act of directing and guiding an investigation.

handling an investigation

Emphasizes the management and control of an investigation.

managing an investigation

Similar to "handling", but focuses on the oversight and coordination of the process.

launching an investigation

Highlights the beginning or initiation of the investigative work.

commencing an investigation

A formal substitute highlighting the start of an official investigation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "doing an investigation" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases like "conducting an inquiry", "carrying out an investigation", or "undertaking an investigation".

What is a simpler way to say "doing an investigation"?

A simpler way to express "doing an investigation" is to say "investigating". This gets straight to the point without unnecessary words.

Is it better to say "doing an investigation" or "conducting an investigation"?

"Conducting an investigation" is often perceived as more formal and professional. However, "doing an investigation" is perfectly acceptable in many contexts and may sound more natural in informal settings.

When should I use "doing an investigation" versus other similar phrases?

Use "doing an investigation" when you want a straightforward and understandable phrase. If you require a more formal tone, opt for phrases like "performing an investigation" or "carrying out an investigation". Select based on the context and audience.