investigate on

USAGE SUMMARY

'investigate on' as a part of a sentence is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
Instead, you can use 'investigate' or 'look into' as a verb when referring to someone researching a particular topic. For example: We need to investigate the source of the issue.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The UN investigation team must be allowed unrestricted access to investigate on the ground in Syria and we call on the Assad regime to fully cooperate with it".

The Guardian

Q: Should ORI have more power to investigate on its own instead of relying on institutions' investigations?

Science Magazine

Let's investigate on a strength-by-strength basis.

The Washington Post

"It's something that people investigate on the topic of pheromones.

Independent

The Putnam Fund trustees have hired Ropes & Gray to investigate on their behalf.

The New York Times

Taberski, a former producer at "The Daily Show," decided to investigate, on a podcast.

The New Yorker

"I took my shower this morning," said Ange Milgrim of SoHo, who stopped by to investigate on a recent Sunday.

The New York Times

They flew military prosecutors who could investigate on the ground so, if there was an allegation, they could respond quickly.

The Guardian

The administration, whose credibility on ethical matters is zero, cannot be trusted to investigate on its own.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

University College London, which he attended, has said it will investigate on-campus radicalisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The aim was to investigate on-going sample sizes for pilot/ feasibility trials in the UK.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "investigate on". Instead, use the verb "investigate" directly followed by the object of the investigation. For example, "investigate the matter".

Common error

The preposition "on" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect after "investigate". Using "investigate on" can make your writing sound unprofessional and confusing. Always use "investigate" directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate on" is intended to function as a verb phrase indicating the action of examining something. However, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct usage is simply "investigate" without the preposition "on".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "investigate on" appears with considerable frequency across different types of sources, it is deemed grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. The correct form is simply "investigate". It is crucial to avoid using the preposition "on" after "investigate" to maintain grammatical accuracy and professionalism in your writing. Using direct alternatives like "look into" is advised for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate

Removes the preposition, using the verb directly.

look into

Uses a phrasal verb with a similar meaning.

carry out an investigation into

Adds formality by using a noun form of "investigate" with a different preposition.

conduct an inquiry into

Replaces "investigation" with "inquiry", maintaining a formal tone.

probe

Uses a more concise verb to mean investigate.

delve into

Suggests a more in-depth investigation.

examine

Offers a more general term for looking closely.

inquire into

Uses a more formal verb with a different preposition.

research

Focuses on a systematic investigation.

explore

Implies a broader, less structured investigation.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "investigate on"?

No, the correct form is simply "investigate". The preposition "on" is unnecessary and considered grammatically incorrect. Using "investigate" directly is the proper way to phrase it.

What is a better alternative to "investigate on"?

A more appropriate alternative is to use "investigate" without any preposition. For example, instead of "investigate on the matter", say "investigate the matter". Other possible replacement includes "look into" the situation.

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

Use "investigate" directly followed by the object you are investigating. For example: "The police will investigate the crime", "The committee will investigate the allegations".

What's the difference between "investigate on" and just "investigate"?

"Investigate on" is grammatically incorrect, while "investigate" is the correct verb to use when referring to conducting a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation etc. Always use "investigate" without a preposition.