i started investigating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started investigating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you began the process of examining or researching something. Example: "After noticing the discrepancies in the report, I started investigating the source of the data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

So I started investigating how to create that bridge.

The New York Times

As soon as I left, I started investigating other kinds of work.

The New York Times

"When I started investigating, I was completely unaware that such a series might exist.

The Guardian - Books

Two years ago, when I started investigating the sprawling prosecution of Turkey's military and political leaders — known as the Ergenekon case — someone pointed me to Emin Şirin.

The New Yorker

"I started investigating the wires and the prongs and I thought, 'I can do this,"' recalled Mrs. Karjala, who is 88.

The New York Times - Tech

By Dexter Filkins August 13, 2013 Two years ago, when I started investigating the sprawling prosecution of Turkey's military and political leaders — known as the Ergenekon case — someone pointed me to Emin Şirin.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

I found out my mother was born in Cardiff, so I've started investigating over the last year".

The Guardian - Music

When I first started investigating murders and killings of disabled people in Britain, back in 2007, I found case after case where disabled men were accused of sexual crimes – always, I stress, wrongly – and then subjected to the violence of the lynch mob.

The Guardian - Opinion

When I first started investigating this epidemic, it was a story about a single sugar plantation in Nicaragua.

The New York Times

I then started investigating the black arts of video transcoding.

TechCrunch

It wasn't until I got permission to film and started investigating that I realized what I had gotten myself into.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the investigation, be specific about what prompted you to start it.

Common error

Avoid using "i started investigating" without clearly defining the subject of your investigation. Ensure the reader understands what you are looking into to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i started investigating" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an action performed by the subject. It is used to describe the initiation of an inquiry or examination, as validated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i started investigating" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that clearly indicates the commencement of an investigative process. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While suitable for general use, consider formal alternatives like "i initiated an investigation" for professional settings. Use this phrase to clearly signal the beginning of an inquiry, providing context for the investigation's purpose and scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i began to investigate

Replaces "started" with "began", offering a slightly more formal tone.

i commenced investigating

Replaces "started" with "commenced", which is more formal and emphasizes the initiation of the process.

i initiated an investigation

Emphasizes a formal beginning of an official inquiry.

i undertook an inquiry

Highlights the investigative action as a formal undertaking.

i researched

Focuses on the aspect of gathering information through detailed study.

i looked into

An informal way of saying that you investigated something.

i set about investigating

Implies a deliberate and purposeful start to the investigation.

i delved into

Suggests a deep and thorough investigation.

i probed into

Suggests a careful and thorough investigation, often into sensitive matters.

i explored

Indicates a broad and less structured investigation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I started investigating" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "i initiated an investigation" or "i commenced investigating".

What's a more casual alternative to "I started investigating"?

In less formal settings, you can use phrases such as "i looked into" or "i checked out".

Is there a difference between "I started investigating" and "I investigated"?

"I started investigating" emphasizes the beginning of the investigation, while "I investigated" simply states that an investigation occurred. The first highlights the initiation, the second the action itself.

What's the best way to use "I started investigating" in a sentence?

Use "I started investigating" to introduce the beginning of an inquiry, providing context or reason for the investigation that followed. For example: "I started investigating after noticing several discrepancies".