investigating the question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investigating the question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of exploring or examining a specific question or issue in detail. Example: "In this research paper, we will be investigating the question of how climate change affects biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The Joint Research Centre, Petten, The Netherlands supported ENIQ by investigating the question of the sample size required to determine a reliable POD curve.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

I've been investigating the question.

The Washington Post

DeHaven told me that they'd never contemplated not investigating the question publicly.

The New Yorker

But Yoshimura's exactness is also a passionately concentrated way of investigating the question of what it means to be free -- and that breeds tension and finally horror.

The New York Times - Books

While investigating the question during research for "The Bin Ladens," my book about Osama's family, I learned, however, that U.S. customs and immigration records from that period no longer exist.

The New Yorker

A team of economists from MIT, Northwestern, and the University of Florida has been investigating the question of the female advantage using a vast trove of data collected by the state of Florida.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The magazine has recently investigated the question with looks at two practitioners of the trade.

The New Yorker

Higgins continued to investigate the question of who had fired the UMLACA.

The New Yorker

The panel will not investigate the question of who was responsible for the killing.

The New York Times

In the recent years, we investigated the question of, to which extent this property holds.

University of California, Berkeley

You might also investigate the question, How reliable is The New York Times itself?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "investigating the question", clearly define the scope and objectives of your inquiry to maintain focus and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting with a broad, undefined question when "investigating the question". Narrow the scope early to make the investigation manageable and yield more specific results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "investigating the question" functions as a gerund phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. As seen in Ludwig, it often introduces the central theme of a research study or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "investigating the question" is a commonly used and grammatically correct gerund phrase that serves to introduce a topic of inquiry or research. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread use. It's frequently found in scientific, news, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure that the question is well-defined to maintain focus. Alternatives such as "examining the issue" or "exploring the topic" can be used to vary your language. By paying attention to context and scope, "investigating the question" can effectively introduce complex subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examining the issue

Replaces "question" with "issue", focusing on a broader topic.

exploring the topic

Substitutes "investigating" with "exploring", implying a more open-ended inquiry.

researching the problem

Changes "question" to "problem", suggesting a specific challenge is being addressed.

analyzing the matter

Replaces "investigating" with "analyzing", emphasizing a detailed examination.

studying the subject

Uses "studying" instead of "investigating", implying a more academic approach.

looking into the query

Substitutes "investigating" with "looking into", making it more informal.

probing the enigma

Replaces "investigating" and "question" with more dramatic terms.

delving into the matter

Uses "delving" to suggest a deeper, more thorough exploration.

inquiring into the subject

Replaces "investigating" with "inquiring", sounding slightly more formal.

scrutinizing the point

Emphasizes a careful and critical examination of the topic.

FAQs

How can I use "investigating the question" in a sentence?

You can use "investigating the question" to introduce the central theme of a study or discussion. For example, "This paper focuses on "investigating the question" of climate change impacts."

What are some alternatives to "investigating the question"?

Alternatives include "examining the issue", "exploring the topic", or "analyzing the matter" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "investigating the question" or "to investigate the question"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "investigating the question" (gerund form) often introduces a topic or ongoing process, while "to investigate the question" (infinitive form) suggests a future or planned action.

What is the difference between "investigating the question" and "asking the question"?

"Investigating the question" implies a detailed inquiry or research process, whereas "asking the question" simply means posing or raising a specific question.