investigate the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigate the" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of examining or inquiring into a particular subject or issue. Example: "The committee was formed to investigate the recent allegations of misconduct within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Federal investigators continue to investigate the incident.

Los Angeles Times

"We cannot investigate the area".

The New York Times

"We would investigate the matter".

The New York Times

People should also investigate the mute function.

Independent

Q : Who will investigate the accident?

The New York Times - Science

TSA should at least investigate the idea.

The Economist

They should investigate the allegations properly".

The Guardian

Time, perhaps, to investigate the minibar.

The Guardian - Film

Prosecutors have started to investigate the allegations.

TechCrunch

Police are continuing to investigate the shooting.

Los Angeles Times

We wanted to investigate the cause.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "investigate the" when you need to emphasize a formal or official inquiry into a specific matter.

Common error

Avoid using "investigate the" in casual conversation; opt for alternatives like "look into" or "check out" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate the" functions primarily as a verb phrase that introduces the action of conducting a systematic or formal inquiry. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, indicating its adaptability across different situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "investigate the" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It signals a formal inquiry or examination across various contexts, predominantly in news, media, and wiki sources. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the register and opt for more casual alternatives like "look into" for informal settings. Ludwig AI confirms the wide applicability of the phrase in many different circumstances, ensuring its relevance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look into the

Uses a more informal and general term for examining something.

examine the

Focuses on a detailed and careful inspection.

probe the

Suggests a deeper and more thorough inquiry.

scrutinize the

Implies a critical and meticulous examination.

research the

Emphasizes a systematic and scientific inquiry.

inquire into the

Formal and emphasizes the act of asking questions to gather information.

analyze the

Focuses on breaking down the subject into its components for examination.

assess the

Focuses on evaluating the subject's qualities or significance.

study the

Suggests a systematic learning and understanding of the subject.

review the

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation.

FAQs

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

You can use "investigate the" to introduce the subject of an inquiry, such as "The police will "investigate the" crime scene" or "The committee will "investigate the" allegations of fraud."

What are some alternatives to "investigate the"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "look into the", "examine the", or "probe the".

Is it better to say "investigate the matter" or "look into the matter"?

"Investigate the matter" is more formal and suggests an official inquiry, while "look into the matter" is more casual and implies a less formal review.

When should I use "research the" instead of "investigate the"?

Use "research the" when the goal is to gather information and study a topic, while "investigate the" is more appropriate when there's a need to examine facts and circumstances to uncover the truth or identify wrongdoing.