make an investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make an investigation' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the act of conducting a thorough examination of a situation or facts in order to uncover information. Example: The police launched an investigation to find the perpetrator.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But when checking conspiracies, the Heat should make an investigation in their own arena, starting maybe with the janitor.

The New York Times - Sports

Is it the pragmatism around the knowledge, or the use of a rational steps to make an investigation, I guess what i¿m trying to imply is that history could be a science, even when it has no labs, vs the "hard" science.

The New Yorker

Then, we introduce the Euler-Lagrange equation and make an investigation on the mathematical properties.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Tyson et al. [28] make an investigation on how ICN is analyzing its challenges, sustain mobility, and major research area.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

There could be no excuse for regulators failing to act, he added: "The size of the database, the implications for those listed and the fundamental lack of meaningful recourse make an investigation into not just World-Check but the entire 'risk profiling' industry an absolute no-brainer".

Vice

Therefore, the study system provided by Lake Biwa and the coastal populations make an investigation of different historical influences possible.

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The F.T.C. confirmed last month that it was making an investigation.

The New York Times

He made an investigation to account for the existence of Agatha Winthrop and her attachment to his house.

The New Yorker

"They could have made an investigation," he said about the years during which WADA received repeated tips.

The New York Times - Sports

In the press release, H.P. noted that while a claim of sexual harassment had been made, an investigation had cleared him of the charges.

The New York Times

Liu et al. made an investigation on the tensile properties of FSW and UWFSW of AA2219 Al alloy.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an investigation", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being investigated. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "make" with formal nouns like "investigation" can sound less sophisticated. Consider stronger verbs such as "conduct", "launch", or "undertake" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an investigation" functions as a verb phrase where "make" acts as a light verb, combining with the noun "investigation" to express the action of performing a systematic inquiry. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make an investigation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe the action of conducting a systematic inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While acceptable, it may be perceived as less formal than alternatives like "conduct an investigation". It's found across diverse sources including science, news and media, and formal business contexts, indicating a broad applicability. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the investigation. Consider using stronger verbs like "conduct", "launch", or "undertake" in formal writing for a more impactful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct an inquiry

Replaces "investigation" with "inquiry", suggesting a more formal or official examination.

launch a probe

Uses "probe" instead of "investigation", implying a focused and potentially discreet inquiry.

carry out an examination

Substitutes "investigation" with "examination", indicating a detailed and thorough inspection.

undertake a study

Employs "study" instead of "investigation", suggesting a more academic or research-oriented approach.

initiate a review

Replaces "investigation" with "review", implying an assessment or evaluation of existing information.

look into the matter

A more informal alternative, indicating a preliminary or less formal inquiry.

explore the issue

Suggests a broader and more open-ended inquiry, focusing on understanding the complexities of the issue.

delve into the subject

Implies a deep and thorough exploration of a particular topic or area.

scrutinize the facts

Focuses on the careful and critical examination of factual information.

perform an audit

Replaces "investigation" with "audit", suggesting a more formal, systematic financial, or operational review.

FAQs

How can I use "make an investigation" in a sentence?

You can use "make an investigation" to describe the act of starting or performing a systematic inquiry. For example, "The authorities decided to make an investigation into the alleged corruption."

What are some alternatives to "make an investigation"?

Some alternatives include "conduct an inquiry", "launch a probe", or "carry out an examination". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "make an investigation" formal or informal?

"Make an investigation" is relatively neutral in tone, but alternatives like "conduct an inquiry" tend to be more formal.

What's the difference between "make an investigation" and "conduct an investigation"?

While both phrases are similar, "conduct an investigation" is generally considered more formal and often preferred in professional and academic contexts. "Make an investigation" is acceptable but can sometimes sound less sophisticated.