investigated by

USAGE SUMMARY

"investigated by" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an investigation conducted by someone or an organization. For example, "The murder was investigated by the local police department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is being investigated by 12 specialist investigators".

The Guardian - Music

(The incident is being investigated by NATO).

The New Yorker

"We got investigated by the tax office.

The Guardian - Tech

Now complaints are investigated by Ipsa.

The Guardian

Intracellular localization was investigated by TEM.

Nature

He had been investigated by intelligence services.

The Washington Post

This allegation was investigated by the department.

The New York Times

This was not investigated by the PCC.

The Guardian

One case was investigated by both groups.

The Guardian

— could have been investigated by now.

The Washington Post

They will be investigated by the I.O.C.'s ethics commission.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigated by", ensure the subject is clearly defined, specifying who or what is conducting the investigation. For instance, instead of saying "The matter was investigated", specify "The matter was investigated by the police."

Common error

Avoid excessive passive voice constructions. While "investigated by" is grammatically correct, using active voice can often make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The crime was investigated by detectives", consider "Detectives investigated the crime."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigated by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is the recipient of an action performed by an agent. According to Ludwig AI, this is a perfectly acceptable phrase. It is commonly used to specify who or what entity is conducting an investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science & Research

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigated by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that clearly identifies the entity responsible for conducting an investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. It is commonly found in news reports, scientific articles, and formal documents. When writing, ensure that the subject is clearly defined and, where appropriate, consider using the active voice for more direct prose. While versatile, be mindful of register, as its frequent use in formal contexts may make it sound out of place in casual conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examined by

Focuses on a detailed inspection or review, similar to an investigation but potentially less formal.

probed by

Emphasizes a thorough inquiry to uncover hidden information, similar to a detailed investigation.

scrutinized by

Highlights a critical and detailed examination, often implying a search for flaws or errors.

reviewed by

Suggests a formal assessment or evaluation, often conducted by an authority or expert.

looked into by

Offers a more informal and less intensive examination or inquiry.

assessed by

Focuses on evaluating the merit, significance, or nature of something, implying a judgement.

audited by

Specifically refers to a systematic examination of financial or operational records.

inspected by

Implies a physical or visual examination to ensure compliance or identify issues.

researched by

Indicates a systematic inquiry or study to discover or revise facts, theories, etc.

under the microscope of

Suggests extremely close and critical scrutiny, often implying public attention.

FAQs

How can I use "investigated by" in a sentence?

You can use "investigated by" to indicate who is conducting an investigation. For example, "The allegations were "investigated by" the ethics committee".

What are some alternatives to saying "investigated by"?

Alternatives include "examined by", "probed by", or "scrutinized by", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "investigated by"?

While "investigated by" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice (e.g., "The police investigated the crime") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. It depends on whether you want to emphasize the investigator or the subject of the investigation.

What's the difference between "investigated by" and "reviewed by"?

"Investigated by" implies a more in-depth inquiry, often related to potential wrongdoing. "Reviewed by" suggests a more general assessment or evaluation. For example, a crime is "investigated by" detectives, while a document is "reviewed by" a lawyer.