look into him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look into him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should investigate or examine a person, often in the context of understanding their character or background. Example: "Before making a decision, I think we should look into him to see if he has the right qualifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In fact, tasked by MI5 to look into him because he'd sent a fiver to the CPGB, the local police were able to establish nothing more subversive than that he "seldom wears a hat and is not altogether of smart appearance in dress".

The Guardian - Books

Charles Bronson has most of these traits, take some time to look into him.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I looked into him and then into others".

The New Yorker

I had seen this artist on internet sites before, but I didn't know the depth of his work until I looked into him.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

I looked into him a bit more and he impressed for Pescara last season so how come there wasn't more competition for his signature?

BBC

When he said that he'd been in a refugee camp in Guinea, the deportation officer told him that he would look into sending him there.

The New Yorker

As it grew clearer a few months ago that Chichi's longevity might indeed be exceptional, Mr. Pavich, with some aid from this reporter, decided to look into getting him into the record book.

The New York Times

The Dodgers should look into acquiring him.

Los Angeles Times

With limited internet access, he did what research he could, but the next time he phoned home he asked his family to look into it for him.

The Guardian

"People need to look into the circumstances behind him not performing as well as we know he can.

The Guardian - Sport

He's going to be a good player, but now you have to dissect him, look into his heart to see how good".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "look into him" when suggesting a relatively brief or informal investigation. For more formal or in-depth investigations, consider alternatives such as "investigate him" or "scrutinize him".

Common error

Avoid using "look into him" in formal or academic writing, as it is generally considered informal. Opt for more professional alternatives like "investigate" or "examine" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "look into him" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression, suggesting an investigation or examination of a person. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English and often used to understand someone's character or background. The examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from informal advice to formal inquiries.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look into him" is a phrasal verb used to suggest an investigation or examination of a person, often to understand their background or character. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and acceptable in various contexts, though it leans towards informal usage. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "investigate him" or "examine him". The phrase is mostly found in News & Media and Wiki sources. Remember to use "look into him" when a relatively informal inquiry is appropriate, and be mindful of the context to avoid misusing the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate him

Focuses more directly on a formal inquiry or examination.

examine him

Implies a detailed inspection or analysis of his characteristics or actions.

check him out

More informal, suggesting a casual investigation or assessment.

scrutinize him

Emphasizes a thorough and critical examination.

probe him

Implies a deep and often sensitive inquiry.

delve into him

Suggests an in-depth exploration of his background or character.

research him

Highlights the act of gathering information about him.

assess him

Focuses on evaluating his qualities or abilities.

evaluate him

Similar to assess, but may involve a more formal judgment.

analyze him

Suggests a systematic and detailed examination of his actions or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "look into him" in a sentence?

You can use "look into him" to suggest an investigation or examination of someone's background or character. For example, "Before hiring him, we need to "look into him" to ensure he's trustworthy."

What's a more formal alternative to "look into him"?

For formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "investigate him" or "examine him" which convey a more serious and professional tone.

Is "look into him" appropriate for professional writing?

While understandable, "look into him" might be too informal for professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "research him" or "evaluate him" in such settings.

What does it mean to "look into" someone?

To "look into" someone means to investigate or examine their background, character, or actions. It suggests a process of gathering information to form a judgment or make a decision about them.