investigate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'investigate with' is not incorrect grammatically but it is incomplete. In order to use it correctly, you should specify who or what the investigation is being done with. For example, you could say "I will investigate the incident with the police".

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The City Council set up a committee to investigate, with findings followed by a grand jury investigation.

Wikipedia

A CPS spokesman said prosecution lawyers had asked police to investigate "with urgency".

The Guardian

Students need first investigate with the appropriate offices how this could impact them.

Cornell University

We will present our report to Karzai, and it will be up to him to investigate with the Germans".

The New York Times

In addition to crunching numbers and enlisting professionals, you need to investigate with your eyes, ears and gut.

The New York Times

"Essentially, they don't have the resources or the organisational structure to investigate with a view to prosecute," said Wendy Bradley.

The Guardian

Police will determine which matters to investigate, with the Australian Crime Commission providing support with intelligence gathering.

The Guardian - Tech

As the senior ranking officer, Thomas orders Donald to go down on to the rocks to investigate, with terrible results.

The Guardian - Film

The police are continuing to investigate with the help of surveillance video.

The New York Times

Get involved with Reality Check where our reporters investigate, with your help, the truth behind the biggest stories of the day - this week we delve into Scottish independence.

The Guardian

The story is half told through wonderful Studio Ghibli-esque animations, the other through pleasingly detailed 3D backgrounds you can investigate with your 3DS stylus.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigate with", specify who or what you are conducting the investigation with to provide clarity. For example, "investigate with the police" or "investigate with new technology".

Common error

A frequent mistake is failing to specify the object or entity involved in the investigation after "with". Always clarify what resource, person, or tool is being used to conduct the investigation to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigate with" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of investigating is being performed using a specific tool, method, or collaborator. It specifies the means by which an inquiry or examination is conducted. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts such as police investigations, scientific research, and business analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigate with" serves to connect the act of investigating to the means by which it is carried out, whether it's a tool, method, or partner. While grammatically sound, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's most effective when the "with" component is clearly specified, avoiding ambiguity and enhancing clarity. Common contexts include news, science, and academic writing. For alternative expressions, consider "examine using", "research employing", or "analyze via", depending on the desired level of formality and the nature of the investigation. Remember to always clarify what is being used to conduct the investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess in conjunction with

Highlights a collaborative assessment process.

probe in partnership with

Emphasizes a cooperative probing or inquiry.

examine using

Focuses on the method or tool used in the investigation.

scrutinize together with

Highlights a collective and careful scrutiny.

inspect alongside

Focuses on a joint inspection or examination.

analyze via

Suggests a formal analysis process is being used for the investigation.

review accompanied by

Implies a review process supported or enhanced by something else.

research employing

Highlights the research aspect and the tools or methods utilized.

study utilizing

Implies a scholarly approach with specific tools or techniques.

explore through

Emphasizes a thorough exploration as the method of investigation.

FAQs

How can I make "investigate with" more precise in my writing?

To enhance precision when using "investigate with", clearly state the tools, methods, or collaborators involved in the investigation. For example, specify whether you're investigating with advanced technology, forensic experts, or detailed data analysis.

What's a more formal alternative to "investigate with"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "examine using", "research employing", or "analyze via" depending on the specific context of your writing.

Is it grammatically incorrect to use "investigate with"?

While not inherently incorrect, "investigate with" requires a clear object to avoid ambiguity. Ensure you specify what the investigation is being conducted with to maintain grammatical clarity.

How does the context influence the choice of words after "investigate with"?

Context dictates the appropriate choice of words after "investigate with". In academic contexts, you might "investigate with statistical models", while in criminal investigations, you might "investigate with forensic evidence".