it investigates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it investigates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that is being looked into or studied. For example, "The department is conducting an investigation; it investigates any potential wrongdoing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It investigates its ambiguous nature, fuzzy boundaries and problematic implementation processes.

International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice

The roundtable says it investigates any complaints lodged against members suspected of breaching its criteria.

The New York Times

How would you summarize the question it investigates?

The New York Times

And once it investigates, the reports can remain bottled up.

The New York Times

It investigates allegations of ethical misconduct for state officials.

The New York Times

The roundtable says it investigates any complaints lodged against members.

The New York Times

The NFL Network pulled Sapp off the air while it investigates the matter.

The New York Times

It investigates whether it is possible to promote tourism and development without negative effects.

The New York Times

It investigates the worth of the individual and the ambiguous border between sanity and madness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It investigates vendors and gives out contracts, often to firms unnamed.

The New York Times

The law requires the FSA to assume that those it investigates are innocent until proven otherwise.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it investigates", ensure the pronoun "it" clearly refers to a specific subject, such as a committee, organization, study, or article, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "it investigates" without a clear antecedent for "it". Make sure the sentence explicitly states what is doing the investigating. For example, instead of "It investigates the issue", write "The committee investigates the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it investigates" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a specific entity or subject is actively conducting an inquiry or examination. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage across various contexts, from academic research to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it investigates" serves as a concise way to communicate that a particular subject is conducting an examination or inquiry. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, clarity is paramount: always ensure "it" has a clear and explicit referent. For nuanced expression, consider alternatives such as "it examines" or "it explores".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it examines

This alternative is more formal and scholarly, implying a detailed and systematic inspection.

it explores

This suggests a more open-ended and less structured approach to discovery.

it analyzes

This implies a methodical breakdown of a subject into its constituent parts for closer scrutiny.

it studies

This suggests a focused academic or scientific inquiry.

it researches

This indicates a systematic investigation into a topic, often with the goal of discovering new information.

it inquires into

This is a more formal and deliberate way of saying "it investigates."

it delves into

This suggests a deeper, more thorough exploration of a subject.

it looks into

This is a more informal way of saying "it investigates", often implying a preliminary examination.

it checks out

This is an informal alternative suggesting a cursory examination.

it scrutinizes

This suggests a very careful and critical examination.

FAQs

How can I use "it investigates" in a sentence?

Use "it investigates" when referring to a specific entity (like a study, organization, or system) that is conducting an inquiry or examination. For example, "The report investigates the causes of the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "it investigates"?

You can use alternatives such as "it examines", "it explores", or "it analyzes" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it investigates" and "it studies"?

"It investigates" implies a more formal inquiry, often into something that might be problematic or require scrutiny. "It studies" suggests a more general and academic examination of a subject.

Is "it investigates" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "it investigates" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and professional contexts, as it clearly and directly conveys the act of examining or inquiring into a topic. You can consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "it scrutinizes" or "it delves into" for added nuance.