investigate this matter

USAGE SUMMARY

"investigate this matter" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as, "The police are currently investigating this matter to determine the cause of the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lambert told the BBC he will co-operate with the IPCC investigation while Walton was reported to say that he "welcomed the decision to investigate this matter independently and the IPCC will have my full support".

The Guardian

Please can you investigate this matter for me?

The Guardian

"Really what you have done is actually failed to completely investigate this matter.

The Guardian

"Labor calls on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to investigate this matter urgently.

The Guardian

A spokesman said: "The FA will investigate this matter, which is unacceptable.

Independent

"We need to investigate this matter properly," said the museum's director, Tone Hansen.

The New York Times - Arts

But we will continue aggressively to investigate this matter regardless of how old this conduct may be".

The Guardian - Business

We are continuing to investigate this matter and will fulfill our journalistic responsibility for critical self-examination".

The New York Times

"We take these allegations seriously and are working collaboratively with Advanced Fresh Concepts to investigate this matter".

The Guardian - Business

However, West Yorkshire Police will use all the resources available to us to thoroughly investigate this matter.

Independent

"I think he should resign immediately," he added, "and I think all the appropriate authorities should investigate this matter".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigate this matter" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly defines what "this matter" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While appropriate in formal or professional settings, avoid using "investigate this matter" in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "look into this".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "investigate this matter" is as a verb phrase acting as a directive or request. It calls for an inquiry or examination into a specific issue or situation. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, indicating its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "investigate this matter" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a directive to examine a particular issue, suitable for formal and professional contexts. While it's common in news, scientific, and business settings, its formality may make it less fitting for casual conversation. Ludwig's examples underscore its practical usage, while related phrases like "examine this issue" and "look into this situation" offer context-dependent alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine this issue

Replaces 'matter' with the more specific 'issue', implying a particular point of concern.

look into this situation

Uses 'situation' instead of 'matter', suggesting a focus on the circumstances surrounding an event.

probe this affair

Uses 'probe' and 'affair' to imply a more in-depth and potentially sensitive investigation.

scrutinize these facts

Emphasizes a careful and critical examination of the 'facts'.

research this concern

Replaces 'investigate' with 'research', framing it as a more academic or systematic inquiry.

analyze this situation

Uses 'analyze' to indicate a more detailed and systematic examination of the 'situation'.

explore this question

Framing the investigation as an exploration of a 'question' suggests a more open-ended inquiry.

conduct an inquiry into this

Formal phrasing that emphasizes the structured nature of the investigation.

undertake a study on this

Implies a more formal and academic approach to the investigation.

get to the bottom of this

An idiomatic expression meaning to discover the truth about something, often used in informal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "investigate this matter" in a sentence?

You can use "investigate this matter" in a sentence like: "The authorities have promised to investigate this matter thoroughly." or "We need to investigate this matter to find out the cause of the problem."

What are some alternative phrases to "investigate this matter"?

Some alternatives to "investigate this matter" include "examine this issue", "look into this situation", or "probe this affair", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "investigate this matter"?

"Investigate this matter" is most appropriate in formal settings, such as legal, professional, or official communications. It is less common in casual conversation.

What is the difference between "investigate this matter" and "look into this"?

"Investigate this matter" is generally more formal and suggests a more thorough and official inquiry, whereas "look into this" is more informal and implies a less intensive examination.