looked into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looked into" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe conducting an investigation into something, or when you want to describe looking more closely at something. For example: "The detective looked into the mysterious disappearance of the young woman."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

looked into.

The New Yorker

I looked into it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Looked into rehab?

The New York Times - Magazine

Helen looked into her purse.

The New Yorker

"I looked into his past.

Independent

He looked into their hearts.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

He looks into yours.

The New Yorker

Look into it, girl!

The New York Times

Look into its eyes.

Independent

Look into professional organizations.

Forbes

Look into scholarship opportunities.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looked into" to indicate that you have investigated or examined something, but avoid overusing it in formal writing where a more precise term like "investigated" or "researched" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "looked into" when the context demands a deeper level of analysis. Overusing it can give the impression of superficiality. Instead, consider stronger alternatives like "scrutinized" or "analyzed" to convey a more rigorous examination.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "looked into" primarily functions as a predicate in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the action of examining or investigating something. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from formal investigations to casual inquiries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "looked into" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, primarily functioning to describe an act of examination or investigation. Its neutral register allows it to be suitable for various contexts, though more formal alternatives may be favored in specific situations. Ludwig's examples and the analysis of source types highlight its prevalence in "news & media", suggesting its widespread use in reporting and general communication. While grammatically correct, writers should be mindful of using more precise terms like "investigated" or "researched" when a deeper or more rigorous analysis is implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigated

Implies a more formal and thorough examination than "looked into".

examined

Similar to 'investigated' but can also refer to a physical inspection.

researched

Suggests a more academic or scientific approach to finding information.

delved into

Suggests a deep and thorough exploration of a topic.

checked out

More informal, suggesting a quick verification.

studied

Indicates a careful and detailed analysis.

gone over

Similar to "checked out", suggesting a review of something.

explored

Implies a broader and more open-ended investigation.

reviewed

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation.

considered

Focuses on thinking carefully about something.

FAQs

How can I use "looked into" in a sentence?

You can use "looked into" to describe examining or investigating something. For example, "The detective "looked into" the case" or "I "looked into" the matter".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "looked into"?

Alternatives to "looked into" include "investigated", "researched", "examined", or "checked out", depending on the context.

Is "looked into" formal or informal?

"Looked into" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, alternatives like "investigated" or "researched" may be preferred.

What's the difference between "looked into" and "investigated"?

While both imply examining something, "investigated" suggests a more thorough and systematic inquiry. "Looked into" can be used for less formal or preliminary examinations, while "investigated" typically implies a more official or in-depth probe.