investigate for

USAGE SUMMARY

'investigate for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about looking into something in order to find something else. For example, "The police are investigating for the missing person."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Rube Goldberg and McGeehan sent to investigate for San Francisco paper.

The New Yorker

The one thing I might investigate for future groups is lunch venues.

Harvard University

Identify/describe a topic you would like to investigate for your 101 (thesis).

University of California, Berkeley

"You can investigate for a very long time; you can do more or less a formal inquiry.

The Guardian

There was a small loft in the stable that Bonnie was planning to investigate for the first time today.

The New York Times - Magazine

Carson decided to investigate for himself, reading deeply and consulting with colleagues – and then he decided to try it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Thirty-two stattorneysneys general are working together to investigate for-profit colleges, and some of them are pursuing allegations against the University of Phoenix.

HuffPost

He never investigated for himself.

The Guardian

"Investigating for six months?" Juliet said.

The New Yorker

Another brother, Omar, has also been investigated for drug offences.

The Guardian

To be investigated for rape, after all: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigate for", ensure that the object of the investigation and the purpose are clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The detectives are investigating for clues." rather than simply "The detectives are investigating."

Common error

While "investigate for" is generally correct, overuse can make your writing sound overly formal. In less formal contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "look into" or "check".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of conducting an inquiry or examination with a specific purpose or target in mind. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe various forms of investigation, from scientific research to criminal inquiries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "investigate for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a targeted form of inquiry. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the context and formality to ensure its appropriate usage. Remember to articulate the goal of the investigation clearly. Consider alternatives if the context is too informal, such as '"look into for"'. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "investigate for" in your writing to convey precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look into for

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary while maintaining the core meaning of examining something.

examine in relation to

This suggests a formal and detailed inspection, emphasizing the connection to something else.

probe regarding

“Probe” implies a more in-depth and potentially sensitive investigation.

research with respect to

This alternative emphasizes a systematic study or inquiry.

scrutinize concerning

“Scrutinize” suggests a very careful and critical examination.

explore to find

This emphasizes the exploratory nature of the investigation with a specific outcome in mind.

check up on to see

This alternative is more informal, implying a casual verification.

delve into regarding

"Delve" indicates a thorough and immersive exploration of a subject.

enquire about with the intention of

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the purpose behind the inquiry.

analyze with the goal of

This highlights the analytical aspect of the investigation, focusing on achieving a specific goal.

FAQs

How can I use "investigate for" in a sentence?

Use "investigate for" when you want to express looking into something to find something else. For example, "The scientists are using microscopes to investigate for cellular anomalies."

What are some alternatives to "investigate for"?

You can use alternatives like "look into for", "examine in relation to", or "probe regarding" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to include the 'for' after 'investigate'?

No, it's not always necessary. You can simply "investigate" something. Adding "for" specifies what you are trying to find through the investigation.

What's the difference between "investigate" and "research"?

"Investigate" often implies looking into a specific incident or problem, while "research" usually refers to a broader, more systematic study.