investigate someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigate someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining or inquiring into a person's actions, background, or character, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The detective was assigned to investigate someone who was suspected of embezzlement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Every decision to investigate someone entails a decision not to investigate someone else.

The Guardian

Minnesota's medical board has jurisdiction to investigate someone who practises medicine without a state licence or a telemedicine registration.

The Guardian - Music

But he added, "It would be irresponsible for us not to investigate someone who is suspected of a crime and has some record of being foreign born".

The New York Times

"You can't have a state body thoroughly investigate someone who is that powerful and that omnipotent in the state," said Assemblyman Kieran Michael Lalor, a Republican from Fishkill.

The New York Times

As Sergeant Reyka got out of his car to investigate, someone jumped out of one of the cars and shot him several times before fleeing, according to a statement issued by the sheriff's office.

The New York Times

Wrapping up for the day, Rep. Issa warned the former Secretary of State that he was just getting started: "Once we Republicans decide to investigate someone, we don't stop.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

(By the way, although the FTC can't say when it is investigating someone, it can publicly disclose when it has terminated that investigation. Go figure).

TechCrunch

In the Mitnick case, Ms. Hamann is investigating someone who reported to Mr. Baum.

The New York Times

According to a report in the Herald, Nicholls said the term "dirt" was common journalistic parlance for investigating someone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is that really the same standard it uses when it investigates someone not part of Syracuse basketball?

The New York Times

We were investigating someone living in a rural area, where everyone knew everyone.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigate someone", ensure the context clearly indicates who is conducting the investigation and what the scope of the investigation entails. Providing this context adds clarity and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "investigate someone" in casual conversation. Opt for less formal alternatives like "look into" or "check out" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate someone" functions as a verb phrase where "investigate" is the main verb and "someone" is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigate someone" is a grammatically correct and readily understandable expression that describes the act of conducting an inquiry into a person. As indicated by Ludwig, it is deemed correct and usable in written English. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional tone suitable for formal inquiries. When using the phrase, make sure to consider the context and choose less formal alternatives, such as "look into someone", if the situation requires it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look into someone

Replaces "investigate" with the less formal "look into", suggesting a preliminary or less intensive inquiry.

probe into someone's background

"Probe" implies a deeper and more thorough investigation, specifically targeting a person's history.

scrutinize someone

"Scrutinize" suggests a careful and critical examination of someone, often for flaws or discrepancies.

do a background check on someone

Specifically refers to verifying someone's past history and credentials.

examine someone's affairs

Focuses on the person's activities or business dealings, implying a formal or legal inquiry.

vet someone

Implies a thorough assessment to determine suitability for a position or role.

carry out an inquiry on someone

Formal and emphasizes a structured process of investigation.

audit someone

Typically refers to a financial examination but can be used metaphorically for other types of scrutiny.

conduct surveillance on someone

Focuses on monitoring someone's behavior secretly.

check someone out

Informal and implies a casual or quick assessment.

FAQs

What does "investigate someone" mean?

The phrase "investigate someone" means to conduct a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. to establish the truth. It typically implies a formal or official process.

When is it appropriate to use "investigate someone"?

It's appropriate to use "investigate someone" when referring to formal inquiries, such as those conducted by law enforcement, regulatory bodies, or internal company investigations. In informal contexts, alternatives like "look into someone" or "check someone out" might be more suitable.

What are some synonyms for "investigate someone"?

Synonyms include "look into someone", "examine someone", "probe into someone", "scrutinize someone", and "do a background check on someone". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

How does "investigate someone" differ from "research someone"?

"Investigate someone" typically implies an inquiry into wrongdoing or suspicious activity, whereas "research someone" usually refers to gathering information for informational or academic purposes. The former suggests a potentially adversarial context, while the latter is generally neutral.