investigate him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigate him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the act of examining or looking into someone's actions or behavior. It implies that there may be suspicion or doubt surrounding the person in question. Example: The police were called to investigate him after several reports of suspicious activity in the neighborhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Church of Scientology responded to Lonsdale's activities by hiring a private investigator to investigate him.

Wikipedia

You could investigate him.

The Guardian

Trump warned Democrats not to investigate him.

The Washington Post

"The Home Office needs to investigate him urgently.

The Guardian

Who gave the orders for the police to investigate him?

The New York Times

Yet the police made little attempt to investigate him.

The Economist

Embarrassed officials in Kiev immediately removed him and said they would investigate him for treason.

The New York Times

The senator has apologized for his behavior and asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate him.

The Guardian

The S.S.S. will investigate him, and once they are satisfied they will release him, God willing".

The New York Times

Italian authorities seized Mr. Nicastri's assets to investigate him, but he has not been arrested.

The New York Times

But we thought somebody ought to investigate him," Ms. Hill said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigate him", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the investigation. Provide specific details about the allegations or suspicions to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice when you can directly state who is conducting the investigation. For example, instead of "He is being investigated", write "The police are investigating him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate him" functions as a verb phrase, where "investigate" is the transitive verb and "him" is the direct object. It indicates an action performed upon a specific individual, suggesting a formal or official inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "investigate him" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, primarily found in News & Media contexts, with its function being to report on or describe an inquiry into an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness. While the phrase itself is neutral, the specific context can affect the overall formality. When using "investigate him", prioritize clarity, and consider more descriptive alternatives like "look into him" or "scrutinize him" depending on the desired nuance. Be mindful to avoid overuse of passive voice to keep writing clear and direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look into him

Replaces "investigate" with a more general term for examining a situation or person.

probe him

Suggests a more thorough and potentially intrusive investigation.

scrutinize him

Implies a detailed and critical examination.

examine him

Offers a neutral alternative, suggesting a formal or official review.

inquire into him

Formal and official-sounding alternative, suitable for legal or governmental contexts.

look into his affairs

Focuses on the person's dealings or business.

conduct an inquiry into him

Emphasizes the formal process of investigation.

carry out a probe on him

Highlights the active and directed nature of the investigation.

undertake an examination of him

Stresses the comprehensive nature of the investigative process.

review his conduct

Focuses specifically on the person's behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "investigate him" when referring to an official inquiry or examination into a person's actions or background. For example, "The authorities decided to investigate him after receiving new evidence".

What are some alternatives to saying "investigate him"?

Alternatives include "look into him", "probe him", or "scrutinize him", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "investigate him" versus "investigate into him"?

"Investigate him" is the correct and more common form. The phrase "investigate into him" is redundant because "investigate" already implies "into".

What is the difference between "investigate him" and "interrogate him"?

"Investigate him" refers to a broader inquiry, while "interrogate him" implies questioning him directly, often in a formal setting. Investigating may involve gathering evidence from various sources, whereas interrogation focuses on direct questioning of the individual.