start investigate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start investigate" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "start investigating"? You can use "start investigating" when you want to indicate the beginning of an inquiry or examination into a particular subject or issue. Example: "We need to start investigating the cause of the recent system failures to prevent future occurrences."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Islamist Maseratis Reprints Related topics International Criminal Court Kenyan politics African politics World politics Social issuesThe court must now, for a start, investigate why the count took longer than expected.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

So then we start investigating the sweet potential of vegetables".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is an emergency, authorities must start investigating and sanctioning perpetrators.

The Guardian

So, start investigating potential employers and let them know what you could offer.

The Guardian - Money

The Express revelations also prompted other papers to start investigating the source of the documents.

Independent

In 2008 the green-besotted media will start investigating corporate environmental claims.

The Economist

Might be time to start investigating a fix on this one.

The New York Times

We now want to start investigating the emissions associated with wholesale and retail distribution and help drive down emissions.

The Guardian

Also, while you're at it, I'd like to start investigating some of the originators of dance music.

The Guardian - Music

The affidavit itself offers no details of what would have prompted police to start investigating Holtzclaw on that day.

The Guardian

My second was to start investigating the merits of bee balms and other members of the Monarda genus.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct grammatical form: "start investigating" instead of "start investigate". This ensures clarity and professionalism in your writing.

Common error

Do not use the base form of the verb after "start" when indicating an ongoing action. The correct form is the gerund (verb + -ing), as in "start investigating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start investigate" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "start investigating". As noted by Ludwig, the proper construction involves using the gerund form of the verb following "start".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start investigate" is flagged as grammatically incorrect by Ludwig. The correct form is "start investigating". While the intention is to express the commencement of an investigation, the improper use of the verb undermines its clarity. As such, it is crucial to use the gerund form to maintain grammatical accuracy. The alternatives include "begin investigating" or "initiate an investigation". Always use the correct grammatical structure to maintain clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin investigating

A more formal and grammatically sound alternative.

commence investigation

Emphasizes a formal initiation of an investigative process.

launch an inquiry

Suggests a more structured and official approach to examining a matter.

initiate an investigation

Focuses on the starting point of a detailed examination.

undertake an investigation

Highlights the commitment and effort involved in the investigative process.

start an inquiry

A more formal approach to examine a matter.

look into

A more casual way of suggesting a brief investigation.

probe into

Suggests a deeper, more thorough investigation.

delve into

Implies an immersive and detailed investigative process.

get to the bottom of

Indicates an intention to find the root cause of an issue.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "start" with another verb?

When using "start" to indicate the beginning of an action, follow it with the gerund form of the verb (verb + -ing). For example, it's correct to say "start investigating", not "start investigate".

What's the difference between "begin investigating" and "start investigating"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, "begin investigating" is generally considered more formal than "start investigating".

Is "start investigation" grammatically correct?

No, "start investigation" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "start investigating", using the gerund form, or "begin an investigation", using a noun phrase.

Are there alternatives to saying "start investigating"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "launch an inquiry", "initiate an investigation", or simply "look into", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.