solved the case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "solved the case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the resolution of a mystery or investigation, typically in a legal or detective context. Example: "After months of investigation, the detective finally solved the case and brought the culprit to justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

None of it ever solved the case.

The Guardian

Then Marlowe went out and solved the case.

The New York Times - Arts

Tells how Schindler and his operative solved the case.

The New Yorker

And that was how I solved the Case of the Stupid Morons.

The New Yorker

Many people blamed political maneuvering for the dispute over who had supposedly solved the case first.

The New York Times

Doctors there at first were puzzled by her unusual symptoms, but eventually they solved the case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

We are very close to solving the case".

The New York Times

We're going to have to solve the case".

The Guardian - Travel

The party was held to raise money to solve the case of the disappearing sand.

The New York Times

The Challenge: Can you solve the case of the hiccuping luggage salesman?

The New York Times

The detectives blend their disparate views of the world to solve the case.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or investigative matters, consider the context and choose a synonym like "resolved" or "closed" for a more formal tone. For less formal contexts, consider something like "cracked the case".

Common error

While acceptable, repeatedly using "solved the case" in academic papers can sound repetitive. Diversify your language by using synonyms like "resolved the matter" or "addressed the problem" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "solved the case" functions as a predicate in sentences, typically following a subject (e.g., detective, police, investigator) to indicate the resolution of a specific case. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "solved the case" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the resolution of a mystery or investigation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in science and wiki contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, consider the context and choose synonyms like "resolved the case" or "closed the case" for a more formal tone, or "cracked the case" for an informal one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved the case

Replaces "solved" with "resolved", suggesting a more formal or official resolution.

cracked the case

Uses "cracked" for a more informal, detective-novel feel.

closed the case

Implies the case is officially finished, potentially by legal means.

found the solution to the case

Emphasizes the problem-solving aspect of "solving" a case.

figured out the case

An informal way of saying the case has been solved.

investigated the case

Focuses on the investigation aspect rather than the resolution itself.

unraveled the mystery

Shifts the focus to the mysterious nature of the case being solved.

determined the outcome of the case

Replaces solved with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the result.

brought the case to a conclusion

A more descriptive and formal way to express the solving of a case.

ascertained the truth of the matter

A more formal alternative that focuses on discovering the truth.

FAQs

What does it mean to "solve the case"?

To "solve the case" means to find the answer to a crime or mystery, usually by discovering who committed it and why.

What can I say instead of "solved the case"?

You can use alternatives like "resolved the case", "cracked the case", or "closed the case" depending on the context.

Is "solve the case" formal or informal?

The phrase "solve the case" is generally considered neutral. More formal options include "resolved the issue", while "cracked the case" is more informal.

Can "solved the case" be used in non-crime contexts?

Yes, while often used in crime-related scenarios, "solved the case" can apply to any situation where a problem or mystery is resolved. For instance, you might say a doctor "solved the case" of a patient's illness.