investigative

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'investigative' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that means the action of investigating, or the activity of looking for facts and information in order to form conclusions. Example sentence: The journalist pursued an investigative report on corruption in the government.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Typical associations found were Surgery (realistic), Hospital Medicine (investigative), Psychiatry (Artistic) Public Health (Social), Administrative Medicine (Enterprising) and Laboratory Medicine (Conventional) [ 21].

BMC Medical Education

Medical specialities typical of Holland's six RIASEC categories are Surgery (Realistic), Hospital Medicine (Investigative), Psychiatry (Artistic), Public Health (Social), Administrative Medicine (Enterprising), and Laboratory Medicine (Conventional).

BMC Medical Education

He is a member of numerous national and international scientific organizations, including the American Federation of Clinical Research, the American Diabetes Association, the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the Society for Investigative Dermatology, the Endocrine Society, and the National Lipid Association.

Dermato-Endocrinology

The General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, said the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation received the largest financial benefits in the deals.

The New York Times

Premier and Novation are also being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission and the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

The New York Times

He now teaches investigative reporting at CUNY's Graduate School of Journalism.

The New York Times

Michael Moss, a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter for The Times, wrote this week's cover article on the processed-food industry.

The New York Times

This entry was posted in Columbia University Libraries, Electronic Resources, Immigration, Investigative Tools, Research Tips on August 4, 2009 by Cris.

Columbia University

The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, described "red team" hackers who were pitted against cyberdefenders at the Pentagon.

The New York Times

The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, said the problem involved several agencies within the department.

The New York Times

The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, is conducting its own review of the anthrax evidence.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "investigative", ensure the context clearly indicates an in-depth and systematic inquiry, rather than a casual observation or quick review.

Common error

Avoid using "investigative" when a simpler term like "exploratory" or "analytical" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "investigative" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a detailed and systematic inquiry. It denotes a process aimed at uncovering facts, often in contexts involving scrutiny and analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in similar context and examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "investigative" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a thorough and systematic inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a deep and rigorous exploration is intended, avoiding overuse in casual contexts. Related terms like "analytical" or "exploratory" can serve as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, "investigative" is a valuable term for emphasizing the depth and rigor of an inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fact-finding

Directly relates to the activity of discovering and verifying information.

Inquisitorial

Focuses more on the formal and often rigorous aspects of questioning and examination.

Probing

Indicates a deep and thorough inquiry aimed at uncovering hidden information.

Analytical

Emphasizes the process of breaking down a subject into its constituent parts for detailed examination.

Scrutinizing

Suggests a close and critical examination to identify flaws or inconsistencies.

Research-oriented

Highlights the connection to systematic study and gathering of information.

Examining

A general term for looking at something closely; less intense than "investigative".

Exploratory

Conveys a sense of discovery and venturing into the unknown to uncover information.

Auditing

Implies a systematic review and verification, often in a financial context.

Detailed

Emphasizes the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the approach.

FAQs

How is the word "investigative" typically used in a sentence?

The word "investigative" is usually used as an adjective to describe nouns like "reporter", "report", or "committee", indicating a detailed inquiry or systematic examination.

What are some alternatives to using "investigative" in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "analytical", "exploratory", or "fact-finding" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is more appropriate: "investigative" or "investigatory"?

"Investigative" is generally preferred and more commonly used to describe a process or entity involved in investigation. "Investigatory" is less common but still grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "investigative" and "research-based"?

"Investigative" implies a deeper level of scrutiny and is often associated with uncovering hidden or complex information, while "research-based" suggests a systematic study and analysis of existing data.