initial investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial investigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the start or beginning of an examination or inquiry. Example sentence: The police launched an initial investigation into the case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After the initial investigation, Dixit analyses the underlying trend in Mr. A's heists.

Wikipedia

From my initial investigation we believe he jumped".

Independent

After discussions with then CIA director Michael Hayden, the committee began an initial investigation.

The Guardian

Her house in Niger had been searched in the initial investigation.

The New Yorker

Initial investigation of the Landers, California earthquake of 28 June 1992 using TERRAscope, Geophys.

University of California, Berkeley

Evan's parents did not mention the game during Sergeant Guzda's initial investigation, he said.

The New York Times

An initial investigation closed without charges; the case was reopened in 1989.

The New York Times

He said he was surprised the N.F.L. never called him during its initial investigation.

The New York Times - Sports

"Initial investigation was again deficient and failed to identify manifest problems".

The Guardian

Lord Goldsmith admitted 'serious concerns' over the crucial initial investigation into Baha's death.

The Guardian

Aubry said the initial investigation gave detectives little question about what prompted the stabbing.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial investigation", ensure that subsequent actions or findings are clearly linked to this initial phase to maintain clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid implying that the "initial investigation" is comprehensive. It's crucial to set realistic expectations; the initial phase is often limited in scope and serves as a foundation for further inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial investigation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies the beginning stage of an inquiry or examination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial investigation" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the commencement of an inquiry or examination. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains like news, science, and wiki sources. While maintaining a neutral to formal register, it's essential to use it accurately, implying the beginning stage of an inquiry, not a comprehensive one. Consider alternatives like "preliminary inquiry" or "early assessment" depending on the specific context. Using "initial first investigation" is redundant, and it's better to opt for either "initial investigation" or "first investigation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary inquiry

Focuses more on the questioning aspect of the early stages of an investigation.

early assessment

Highlights the evaluation aspect rather than the investigative process itself.

first inquiry

Emphasizes the temporal aspect, denoting the very first questioning or information gathering.

starting probe

Replaces "investigation" with "probe", suggesting a more exploratory approach.

opening exploration

Uses "exploration" to convey a sense of discovery and initial assessment.

initial assessment

Focuses specifically on evaluating the situation, differing from a full investigation.

primary inquiry

Highlights the fundamental nature of the investigation rather than its timing.

first look

A more informal term, suggesting a brief and cursory examination.

introductory study

More suitable for academic or research contexts, focusing on a preliminary analysis.

beginning survey

Suggests a broad overview rather than a detailed investigative process.

FAQs

How is "initial investigation" typically used in a sentence?

You can use "initial investigation" to describe the first steps taken to examine a situation, as in "The police conducted an initial investigation into the incident".

What are some alternatives to "initial investigation"?

Consider using "preliminary inquiry", "early assessment", or "first inquiry" depending on the specific context you're writing in.

What's the difference between "initial investigation" and "preliminary investigation"?

While similar, "initial investigation" emphasizes the starting point, whereas "preliminary investigation" often suggests a more formal or structured early inquiry.

Is it redundant to say "initial first investigation"?

Yes, using both "initial" and "first" is redundant. It's best to choose either "initial investigation" or "first investigation" to avoid unnecessary repetition.