research

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "research" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to an activity that involves finding information and studying a subject in order to increase one's knowledge. For example, "I'm doing some research into how to make the perfect cup of coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's done crucial research on language acquisition, and he offers an admirable account of syntax in his book, but it is unclear what he's talking about here.

The Economist

"Australia consensus would have put the University of Western Australia at the forefront of global research efforts to improve the use of aid spending.

The Guardian

Browse Guardian jobs for hundreds of the latest academic, administrative and research posts.

The Guardian

(I confess I felt a lot like John Waters in the 1980s, when he attended – for research purposes, and alone – a Saturday-morning screening of The Care Bears Movie during the notorious McMartin pre-school devil-worship and child-abuse trial).

The Guardian - Film

It is also very rewarding as you can see the direct effect of the research on people's lives.

The Guardian

The commission report contains a word not often heard in governing circles in the United Kingdom - research.

The Guardian

The academic Alison Wolf has done some fascinating research showing that countries with very good prospects for professional women also have extremely high - 90%-plus - proportions of women doing the very low-paid care work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I did a lot of research for both parts of the play.

The Guardian

He may be poorer but wiser: research in recent years from both Harvard and the University of British Columbia shows that giving away money to others increases happiness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Spy agencies fund climate research in hunt for weather weapon, scientist fears Like so many military experiments, these trials failed but cloud seeding became a reality in 1967/8 when the US's Operation Popeye increased rainfall by an estimated 30% over parts of Vietnam in an attempt to reduce the movement of soldiers and resources into South Vietnam.

The Guardian

He can take heart from the fact that research has shown that the move from on-the-day to overnight printing by almost all evening titles has not made that much difference to sales.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "research" as a noun, ensure it's clear whether you're referring to the process or a specific instance of research. For example, distinguish between "conducting research" and "a piece of research."

Common error

Avoid phrasing such as "Research was done" without specifying who conducted the research. Instead, use the active voice for clarity, e.g., "The scientists conducted the research."

Linguistic Context

The word "research" functions primarily as both a noun, referring to a systematic investigation, and a verb, denoting the act of carrying out such an investigation. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "research" is a highly versatile and frequently used term, functioning both as a noun and a verb, to systematically investigate a topic. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is most common in news, science, and formal business contexts, reflecting its importance in conveying findings and reporting investigations. Synonyms include "investigation", "study", and "inquiry", offering alternative ways to express the same idea. While generally neutral to formal in register, avoiding overuse of the passive voice enhances clarity. Ultimately, understanding the nuanced application of "research" ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigation

Focuses on a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation etc. Often implies a degree of formality and thoroughness.

study

Implies a focused and detailed examination of a subject, often for academic purposes.

inquiry

Suggests a formal or systematic investigation, often to uncover facts or information.

exploration

Emphasizes the act of discovering or learning about something new, often in a less structured way.

experimentation

Implies testing a hypothesis through controlled trials.

fact-finding

Highlights the process of gathering specific details or data.

data collection

Focuses specifically on the gathering of information for analysis.

literature review

Implies an examination of existing published works on a topic.

groundwork

Focuses specifically on the preparatory work done for a major project or task.

analysis

Emphasizes the detailed examination of something, often to explain or interpret it.

FAQs

How do I use "research" in a sentence?

You can use "research" as a noun, such as "The "research shows" that…", or as a verb, such as "I need to "research this topic" further."

What are some synonyms for "research"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "investigation", "study", "inquiry", or "exploration".

Is "researches" a correct plural form of "research"?

While "researches" exists as a plural form, it is less common. "Research" is often used as an uncountable noun, so using "pieces of research" or "studies" may be more appropriate in many contexts.

What's the difference between "research" and "experiment"?

"Research" is a broader term encompassing various methods of inquiry, while an "experiment" is a specific type of research involving controlled tests to prove or disprove a hypothesis.