investigating that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigating that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of examining or looking into a specific subject or issue. Example: "The team is currently investigating that matter to find a suitable solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The state is investigating that school as well.

The New York Times

Investigating that isn't the point of the film.

The Guardian - Film

The prosecution stated that it was in the process of investigating that unit.

The New Yorker

It is unknown if the Syracuse police are investigating that claim as well.

The New York Times - Sports

While investigating that situation, the N.C.A.A. learned Crawford had attempted to apply for the National Basketball Association draft after signing to play for the Wolverines.

The New York Times - Sports

He added: "Everyone has a friend like this, or at least an enemy like this, and I suppose if they were to invest their time and energy into investigating that person's mind, they would probably walk away feeling sympathetic".

The Guardian

It was the death rates at Stafford Hospital that first triggered regulators to start investigating that case.

BBC

Competition authorities are still investigating that deal, and Credit Karma's will also have to get the pass from regulators before closing.

TechCrunch

(The FBI is investigating that contract).

Los Angeles Times

(The EPA's ethics office is investigating that claim).

Vice

The FBI is investigating that attack as a potential act of terrorism.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "investigating that" when you want to convey a sense of formal or official inquiry into a specific subject or issue. It's particularly suited for contexts where scrutiny and fact-finding are essential.

Common error

Avoid using "investigating that" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or serious when a simpler phrase like "looking into it" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigating that" functions as a gerund phrase, describing the action of carrying out a systematic or formal inquiry. As shown by Ludwig, it's commonly used when referring to examining or looking into a specific subject or issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "investigating that" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of conducting a systematic inquiry. As affirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for formal contexts such as news reports and professional communications, but it might be too formal for casual conversation. The analysis reveals that the phrase is most frequently used in the context of news and media, with science and business contexts following. While there are several alternatives, such as "looking into that", it's essential to consider the appropriate level of formality when choosing the right phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looking into that

Implies a less formal or preliminary examination.

examining that

Focuses on a detailed inspection or review.

probing that

Suggests a more thorough and inquisitive investigation.

researching that

Implies a systematic investigation to discover facts.

inquiring into that

Suggests a formal investigation or questioning.

studying that

Implies a focused and analytical examination.

assessing that

Focuses on evaluating or judging the subject matter.

analyzing that

Implies breaking down the subject into components for detailed understanding.

checking into that

Suggests verifying or confirming information related to the subject.

exploring that

Implies a broader, less structured inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "investigating that" in a sentence?

You can use "investigating that" to describe the action of conducting a systematic or formal inquiry. For example: "The police are "investigating that" incident thoroughly."

What's a less formal alternative to "investigating that"?

Alternatives include "looking into that" or "checking that out", which are suitable for more casual contexts.

Is "investigating that" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "investigating that" is appropriate for academic writing when discussing research or inquiries. It conveys a sense of formal examination and analysis.

What's the difference between "investigating that" and "researching that"?

"Investigating that" often implies a specific incident or issue is under scrutiny, while "researching that" suggests a broader, more in-depth study of a topic.