lines of investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

"lines of investigation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used when discussing possible courses of inquiry related to a research project, criminal investigation, or other type of investigation. Example sentence: "The detective followed three different lines of investigation in order to solve the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mexico's own National Human Rights Commission declared that its investigators would "exhaust all possible lines of investigation".

Vice

The PCA oversees the work of the police officers who investigate complaints and they can direct that particular lines of investigation be followed up.

The Guardian

Dillon's research is one example of the many lines of investigation now underway.

Harvard University

"At this moment, we have no lines of investigation," he said.

The New York Times

"What we hope is that they open other lines of investigation".

The New York Times

The accelerator method has opened lines of investigation that had previously been inaccessible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He declined to say whether any criminals had been identified or what lines of investigation were being pursued.

The Guardian - Business

Essex police will continue unrelentingly to pursue all lines of investigation to bring her killer to justice.

The Guardian

The new filings show that Rosenstein specifically approved lines of investigation for the special counsel in an August 2017 memo.

The Washington Post

But all other lines of investigation, including a quarrel over a will within the al-Hilli family, were open.

Independent

However, host factors identified by multiple lines of investigation as playing important roles in RSV pathogenesis are providing key insights.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multiple potential investigative paths, use "lines of investigation" to clearly indicate different, possibly independent, directions of inquiry. This helps in organizing and presenting complex investigative strategies.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "lines of investigation" when a simpler term like "investigation" or "research" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or convoluted. Instead, reserve "lines of investigation" for situations where multiple, distinct paths are being explored.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines of investigation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., pursue, open, explore). It identifies specific approaches or directions taken in an investigative process. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lines of investigation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that refers to different approaches or directions within an inquiry. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatility makes it suitable for news, scientific research, and academic discussions. While it's vital for portraying complex investigative strategies, remember that simpler alternatives may be appropriate in less intricate contexts. The prevalence across authoritative sources, like The New York Times and The Guardian, underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance. When writing, consider the clarity and directness "lines of investigation" brings to communicating systematic inquiries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigative approaches

Replaces "lines" with "approaches", focusing on the strategies used.

courses of inquiry

Focuses on the path or direction that the investigation takes.

avenues of inquiry

Focuses on the exploratory nature of the investigation, emphasizing open paths to gain knowledge.

strategies for inquiry

Replaces "lines" with "strategies", highlighting the planned methods of investigation.

research avenues

Highlights the investigative process from a research perspective.

investigative tracks

Uses "tracks" to metaphorically describe the path of the investigation.

areas of exploration

Highlights the investigative process as an act of discovering new information.

possible research directions

Emphasizes the research-oriented nature of the investigation.

potential leads

Stresses the promising, but unconfirmed nature, of the investigative directions.

potential theories

Emphasizes the development of theories that guide the investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "lines of investigation" in a sentence?

You can use "lines of investigation" to describe different approaches or directions taken during an inquiry or research. For example: "The detective pursued several "lines of investigation" to solve the crime.".

What's a good alternative to "lines of investigation"?

Alternatives include "avenues of inquiry", "investigative approaches", or "potential leads", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lines of investigation" or "areas of investigation"?

Both ""lines of investigation"" and "areas of investigation" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Lines" suggests distinct paths, while "areas" refers to broader fields or subjects of inquiry. The better choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "lines of investigation" versus "research directions"?

"Lines of investigation" is often used in contexts like criminal investigations or formal inquiries, where specific paths are being followed. "Research directions", conversely, is more common in academic or scientific contexts, referring to potential avenues for further study.