start investigating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start investigating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that it is time to begin a process of inquiry or research. For example, "It's clear that we need to start investigating who was responsible for the error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'll be looking up a data sheet soon to start investigating this.

Stanford University

It led him to start investigating the link between learning, memory, and daily sleep cycles.

Stanford University

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

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

Marcus began buying Bitcoins himself and also pushed PayPal to start investigating the currency's use.

The New York Times - Magazine

US regulators start investigating as Tesla is hit by two class-action lawsuits.

The Guardian - Tech

The commissioner's staff take eight months on average before they even start investigating a complaint.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start investigating" when you want to clearly indicate the beginning of a process to uncover information or facts, especially after a period of uncertainty or inaction.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions with "start investigating". Instead of "An investigation should be started," use the active "We should start investigating" for clearer and more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start investigating" functions as a verb phrase, serving to introduce the initiation of an investigative process. As Ludwig highlights, it emphasizes the beginning of an action aimed at uncovering facts or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start investigating" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that signifies the commencement of an investigative process. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports and academic papers to business communications. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for professional settings, it is most frequently observed in news and media sources. When using the phrase, it's best to avoid passive voice for clarity and directness. Alternatives like "begin investigating" or "commence investigation" can be used for slightly different nuances, but "start investigating" provides a straightforward and effective way to prompt action and indicate the intent to examine a situation closely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to investigate

Emphasizes the commencement of the action, similar to the original phrase.

commence investigation

More formal and direct, suitable for official contexts.

initiate inquiry

Replaces "investigating" with the more formal "inquiry".

launch an investigation

Suggests a more structured and official beginning.

undertake to investigate

Highlights the commitment to carry out the investigation.

look into

More casual and less formal than "investigating".

start looking into

Adds a layer of emphasis to the "looking into" action.

probe into

Implies a deeper, more thorough investigation.

dig into

Informal, suggesting an in-depth exploration.

set about investigating

Describes the act of preparing to investigate.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "start investigating" for formal writing?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "commence investigation", "initiate inquiry", or "launch an investigation".

What's a less formal way to say "start investigating"?

For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "look into" or "start looking into", which are more conversational.

Is there a difference between "start investigating" and "begin investigating"?

The phrases "start investigating" and "begin to investigate" are largely interchangeable. However, "start investigating" is more direct and commonly used.

How to use "start investigating" in a sentence?

You can use "start investigating" to indicate the commencement of an inquiry, as in "We need to "start investigating" the cause of the problem immediately".