investigate whether

USAGE SUMMARY

"investigate whether" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to inquire about a particular situation or whether something is true. For example: "The police will investigate whether the suspect is connected to the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I even hired a private investigator to investigate whether the warrant was real".

The New Yorker

We ran two studies to investigate whether the intervention helps.

Harvard Business Review

City will investigate whether he will drop down a level.

The Guardian - Sport

To investigate whether running influences smoking habits.

Atención Primaria

The MoD must fairly investigate whether the allegation is true".

Independent

In order to investigate whether tea (Camellia sinensis (L).

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

Mr. Flynn's panel did not investigate whether the problems were systemwide.

The New York Times

Prosecutors in Warsaw decided to investigate whether Gross had broken laws prohibiting the defamation of Poland.

The Guardian

A GMC hearing is due to investigate whether it was fraud.

The Guardian

The company must investigate whether there are any claims it might have against Vinson & Elkins".

The New York Times

To investigate whether the described morphospecies within sect.

Studies in Mycology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "investigate whether" when you need to conduct a formal inquiry to determine the truth or validity of a claim or situation. This phrase is suitable for reports, analyses, and legal documents.

Common error

Avoid using "investigate whether" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "see if" or "check whether" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate whether" functions as a conjunction phrase, introducing a clause that expresses doubt or uncertainty, prompting an inquiry or examination to determine the truth or validity of a statement. Ludwig shows various examples across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigate whether" serves as a conjunction phrase, signaling an inquiry to determine the truth or validity of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its common use across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While perfectly acceptable, its formality may not suit casual conversations. For those instances, simpler alternatives like "see if" or "check whether" are more appropriate. Remember to choose the phrasing that best fits the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine whether

Focuses on a detailed inspection or scrutiny.

scrutinize whether

Emphasizes a more critical and thorough examination.

assess whether

Highlights the evaluation aspect of the inquiry.

determine if

A more direct way to express finding out if something is true.

explore if

Suggests a broader, less structured inquiry.

look into whether

Implies a preliminary examination or inquiry.

check to see if

Informal way to express verifying something.

research whether

Focuses on a systematic investigation involving gathering data.

inquire if

A formal way of asking to find out.

consider whether

Highlights the aspect of thinking about the possibility.

FAQs

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

Use "investigate whether" to introduce an inquiry or examination. For example, "The committee will investigate whether the company violated environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to "investigate whether"?

You can use alternatives such as "examine whether", "scrutinize whether", or "assess whether" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "investigate whether" or "investigate if"?

"Investigate whether" is generally more formal and precise. "Investigate if" is acceptable but can sometimes sound less formal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "investigate whether" and "look into whether"?

"Investigate whether" implies a more formal and thorough inquiry, while "look into whether" suggests a preliminary or less intensive examination.