it was investigating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was investigating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that was ongoing in the past, particularly in contexts related to research, inquiries, or examinations. Example: "The police confirmed that it was investigating the recent string of burglaries in the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

SACAA said it was investigating any "loopholes" in its practices.

BBC

The Israeli military said it was investigating.

Independent

NATO said it was investigating the attack.

The New York Times

Sony said that it was investigating.

Independent

Donnelley said it was investigating the error.

The New York Times - Tech

Israel said it was investigating the casualties.

The New York Times

The Interior Ministry said it was investigating.

The New York Times

Tesco said it was investigating.

The Guardian - Business

The aviation agency said it was investigating.

The New York Times

Chávez's government said that it was investigating.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The military said it was investigating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was investigating", ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. For example, "The committee was investigating the allegations."

Common error

Avoid using "it was investigating" without a clear antecedent for "it". Ensure the subject of the investigation is explicitly stated to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was investigating" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action. It describes an entity's ongoing process of inquiry or examination. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in reporting investigations across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was investigating" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an ongoing investigation in the past. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples, this phrase serves to inform the audience about an entity's active inquiry. While versatile, its neutral register makes it appropriate for various situations, emphasizing clarity and directness in communication. Alternatives like "it was examining" or "it was probing" offer nuanced ways to convey the same idea, but ensuring a clear subject for "it" remains crucial for avoiding ambiguity. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that "it was investigating" is a reliable and effective phrase for describing past investigative actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was conducting an inquiry

Replaces the verb "investigating" with a noun phrase, emphasizing the formal nature of the investigation.

it was carrying out an investigation

Similar to 'conducting an inquiry', this phrase uses a different verb to describe the act of investigating.

it was examining

Replaces "investigating" with a more formal term, indicating a careful and detailed inspection.

it was undertaking an inquiry

A formal alternative, using 'undertaking' to emphasize the seriousness of the investigation.

it was probing

Substitutes "investigating" with a word suggesting a deeper, more thorough examination.

it was inquiring into

Uses a more formal and elaborate phrasing to convey the act of investigation.

they were looking into

Replaces "investigating" with a more informal phrasal verb, implying a preliminary examination.

it was reviewing

Suggests a more general examination, not necessarily focused on wrongdoing.

it was checking into

An informal alternative implying a less formal investigation.

it was doing research on

Shifts the focus to a more general research activity, rather than a specific investigation of wrongdoing.

FAQs

How to use "it was investigating" in a sentence?

Use "it was investigating" to describe an entity or group that was in the process of carrying out an inquiry or formal examination. For example, "The police department said "it was investigating" the incident".

What can I say instead of "it was investigating"?

You can use alternatives like "it was examining", "it was probing", or "it was conducting an inquiry depending on the context.

Is "it was investigating" formal or informal?

"It was investigating" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "it was undertaking an inquiry".

What's the difference between "it was investigating" and "it investigated"?

"It was investigating" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "it investigated" suggests a completed action. For example, "It was investigating the matter when new evidence emerged" versus "It investigated the matter and concluded there was no wrongdoing".