investigate them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigate them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining or inquiring into a subject, person, or situation in detail. Example: "The committee decided to investigate them further to uncover any potential misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We considered these effects non-specific and did not investigate them further.

BMC Biology

Once you locate a possible GoFundMe, be sure to investigate them.

Huffington Post

Could MI5 investigate them?

The Guardian - Opinion

Federal authorities investigate them.

The New York Times - Style

"They're afraid he'll investigate them".

The New York Times

No one else was bothering to investigate them.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The only commitment was that we would investigate them".

The Guardian

"Now we have a network of organizations that investigate them".

The New York Times - Magazine

Do we investigate them and implement a solution?

The New York Times

And Fermilab is well placed to investigate them.

The Economist

We take these allegations extremely seriously and will investigate them thoroughly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigate them", ensure the pronoun "them" clearly refers to a previously mentioned subject to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Allegations of fraud have surfaced; authorities will investigate them thoroughly."

Common error

Avoid using "investigate them" without a clear antecedent for "them". Instead of saying: "There are several issues, and we need to investigate them", specify what "them" refers to: "There are several issues, and we need to investigate these problems further."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate them" functions as a verb phrase with a pronoun, indicating the act of examining or inquiring into a subject. It usually suggests a formal or official inquiry, as supported by examples found on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigate them" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the act of examining or inquiring into something, typically with the intention of uncovering facts or resolving issues. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that "them" has a clear and unambiguous reference to avoid confusion. Alternatives such as "examine them" or "look into them" can offer different shades of meaning or levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine them

Replaces "investigate" with a more general term for looking closely.

look into them

Offers a more informal alternative to "investigate".

scrutinize them

Suggests a more detailed and critical examination.

check them out

Provides a casual way to say "investigate", suitable for informal contexts.

research them

Focuses on a systematic and scholarly investigation.

analyze them

Highlights the process of breaking down information to understand it better.

probe them

Implies a more invasive or thorough investigation.

study them

Suggests a detailed and methodical examination, often in an academic context.

delve into them

Emphasizes a deep and thorough exploration.

assess them

Focuses on evaluating or judging the subject after examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "investigate them" to refer to examining or inquiring into something, as in "The committee decided to investigate them further to uncover any potential misconduct." It's crucial that "them" has a clear reference.

What are some alternatives to "investigate them"?

Alternatives include "examine them", "look into them", or "scrutinize them", depending on the level of formality and the depth of the inquiry.

Is it grammatically correct to say "investigate them"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct, provided that "them" refers to a specific, previously mentioned subject. Ludwig confirms that "investigate them" is used correctly in a variety of contexts.

What's the difference between "investigate them" and "investigate it"?

"Investigate them" is used when referring to multiple items or people, while "investigate it" is used when referring to a single item or issue. For instance, "The police will investigate them (the suspects)" versus "The police will investigate it (the crime)".