they investigated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they investigated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of examining or inquiring into a matter, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "After receiving the complaint, they investigated the allegations thoroughly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Traffic investigators shut down the intersection of Columbus and California avenues as they investigated the scene.

Los Angeles Times

They investigated.

The New York Times

They investigated, cajoled, hustled and cared deeply.

The New York Times

When they investigated, they discovered that Sharkey had escaped.

The New Yorker

They investigated connections between Russian and Iranian oil interests.

The Guardian

Then they investigated and found that they had been swindled.

The New Yorker

They investigated and marginalized those who were investigating them.

The Guardian - Opinion

4. Write proposals to "green" the spaces they investigated.

The New York Times

They said they investigated the bruising allegation but found nothing.

The Washington Post

They investigated, independently, another common disease with no known cause.

The Guardian

Next, they investigated the effects of old blood on cell function.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they investigated", ensure the pronoun "they" clearly refers to a specific group or entity to avoid ambiguity. For clarity, specify who conducted the investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "they investigated" without clearly defining who "they" refers to, as this can confuse the reader. Always provide context to identify the investigating party.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they investigated" functions as a simple past tense verb phrase, where "they" is the subject pronoun and "investigated" is the past tense of the verb "investigate". According to Ludwig AI, it indicates a completed action of inquiring into something. This action can range from a formal inquiry to a casual examination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they investigated" is a commonly used and grammatically correct past tense verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to report a past action of inquiry or examination by a specific group. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. While alternatives like "they looked into" or "they researched" exist, "they investigated" effectively conveys that a group or entity has conducted an inquiry to uncover facts or details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they looked into

Focuses on a general examination or inquiry, often less formal than a full investigation.

they examined

Implies a careful and detailed inspection or analysis.

they inquired into

Suggests a formal or official process of asking questions and gathering information.

they probed

Indicates a thorough and often intrusive search for information.

they scrutinized

Emphasizes a very detailed and critical examination.

they researched

Focuses on a systematic study to discover and interpret facts.

they explored

Suggests a process of discovery and learning through investigation.

they delved into

Implies a deep and thorough investigation of a complex matter.

they assessed

Focuses on evaluating or judging the value or quality of something after investigation.

they checked out

An informal way to say they examined or investigated something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they investigated" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "they inquired into", "they examined", or "they scrutinized", depending on the specific context and level of detail involved.

What is a less formal alternative to "they investigated"?

Informal alternatives include "they looked into" or "they checked out". These options are suitable for casual conversations or less formal writing where a detailed inquiry isn't the primary focus.

How does "they investigated" differ from "they researched"?

"They investigated" implies a general inquiry or examination of a situation or event, while "they researched" specifically suggests a systematic and academic study to discover and interpret facts. Research is a more structured and in-depth process than a general investigation.

Is "they investigated" always used in a legal or formal context?

While "they investigated" is often used in formal contexts such as legal or official inquiries, it can also be used more broadly to describe any situation where a group or entity is examining something to discover facts or details. The context usually determines the formality of the phrase.