investigating for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigating for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition would be "investigating" followed by the subject or object of the investigation. Example: "The detective is investigating the case."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Investigating for six months?" Juliet said.

The New Yorker

It's a source worth investigating for an allotment site.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both are accused of being members of Ergenekon, which they have been investigating for years.

The Guardian

Let's save the investigating for private e-mail servers, O.K., Geraldine?

The New Yorker

Beardsley and his colleague Chase Vaughan continued investigating for several more days.

The New Yorker

The FBI has different ways of categorizing people it is investigating for possible terrorist ties.

The Guardian

Scientists are investigating, for example, defects in cellular mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy.

The New York Times - Health

Really, though, DIIV are principally worth investigating for their blend of clean guitars and quietly insistent tunes.

The Guardian - Music

He wants to do more work on the Rift Valley fever virus, which he has been investigating for years.

The New York Times - Science

The first is the case of SAC Capital, a giant hedge fund that the SEC is investigating for insider trading.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the last three years, the senator has been in the spotlight for investigating for-profit colleges.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "investigating for" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "investigating [the subject]" or "investigating into [the matter]" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "investigating". The verb "investigate" typically takes a direct object or is followed by prepositions like "into" or "regarding". For example, use "investigating the matter" instead of "investigating for the matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigating for" functions as a verb phrase where "investigating" is the present participle of the verb "to investigate". Despite its frequent use, as shown by Ludwig, it's often considered grammatically incorrect, requiring a direct object or a different preposition like "into" or "regarding".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

48%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigating for" is frequently used, particularly in news and scientific contexts, as evidenced by the numerous examples found by Ludwig. However, the Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect; it's generally better to use "investigating [something]" or "investigating into [something]". While its meaning is usually clear, using grammatically correct alternatives enhances clarity and professionalism. Be mindful of preposition usage and opt for alternatives like "looking into" or "examining" to ensure accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigating into

Changes the preposition to "into", offering a more standard phrasing for investigations.

looking into

Uses a more informal phrasal verb, implying an examination or inquiry.

conducting an investigation of

Replaces the verb with a noun phrase, emphasizing the formal process of investigation.

examining

Offers a concise verb that means to inspect or scrutinize carefully.

probing

Suggests a deeper, more thorough investigation to uncover hidden aspects.

researching

Focuses on a systematic inquiry to discover or revise facts, theories, etc.

exploring

Implies an investigation into new or unknown areas.

scrutinizing

Conveys a very detailed and critical examination.

studying

Suggests a careful and detailed examination of a subject.

inquiring about

Focuses on seeking information or making an inquiry.

FAQs

How should I properly use the word "investigating" in a sentence?

The word "investigating" should typically be followed by the direct object of the investigation. For example, "The detective is investigating the crime scene." You might also use prepositions like "into" or "regarding", like in the phrase "investigating into" the matter.

What are some alternatives to using "investigating for"?

Instead of "investigating for", you can use alternatives such as "looking into", "examining", or "researching", depending on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "investigating" and "investigating into"?

While both "investigating" and "investigating into" are used to describe the act of inquiry, "investigating" typically takes a direct object, while "investigating into" implies a more in-depth exploration. For instance, "The police are investigating the incident" versus "The committee is investigating into the root causes of the problem."

When is it appropriate to use "investigating regarding" instead of "investigating for"?

The phrase "investigating for" is not correct in standard written English. Instead, use "investigating regarding" or simply "investigating". For example, "The authorities are investigating regarding potential fraud" or "The authorities are investigating potential fraud."