to delve into

USAGE SUMMARY

'to delve into' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of exploring something more deeply. For example, "He chose to delve into the history of the city to gain a better understanding of its culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both had to delve into their savings.

The New York Times

That's what I want to delve into".

The New York Times

She chose not to delve into that history on Saturday.

The New York Times

But there was plenty else to delve into.

The New York Times - Magazine

I wanted to delve into the emotion behind violence".

Independent

What better moment could there be to delve into?

The Guardian - Travel

We don't want to delve into innocent emails and phonecalls".

The Guardian

Harry had a hundred details to delve into.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'm not going to delve into any critical analysis.

The Guardian - Books

president," happier to delegate than to delve into pesky details.

The New York Times

Then they started to delve into their back catalogue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to delve into" when you want to convey a sense of deep exploration and thorough investigation of a topic. It's particularly effective when describing academic research, historical analysis, or detailed examinations of complex issues.

Common error

Avoid using "to delve into" when a simpler term like "examine" or "look at" would suffice. The phrase implies a significant depth of inquiry, and using it in trivial situations can sound pretentious or overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to delve into" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an intention or action of exploring something deeply and thoroughly. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to delve into" is a versatile phrase used to describe a deep and thorough exploration of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various writing styles. While appropriate for formal contexts like academic research and news reporting, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives in casual conversations. The phrase's high frequency in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its widespread acceptance and reliability in conveying in-depth investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to investigate thoroughly

Focuses on a complete and detailed investigation, implying a structured approach.

to explore in depth

Highlights the exploratory aspect of the action, suggesting a comprehensive examination.

to examine closely

Emphasizes careful and detailed scrutiny, with a focus on precision.

to inquire deeply

Suggests a profound level of questioning and investigation, seeking fundamental truths.

to dig into

An informal alternative suggesting energetic and thorough research.

to look into

A more general phrase indicating an investigation but not necessarily a deep one.

to analyze extensively

Focuses on breaking down a subject into its components for detailed examination.

to probe deeply

Implies a thorough and penetrating investigation, often into sensitive or hidden areas.

to scrutinize meticulously

Emphasizes extremely careful and precise examination, often to find errors.

to research extensively

Highlights the research aspect, implying a systematic and comprehensive study.

FAQs

How can I use "to delve into" in a sentence?

You can use "to delve into" to indicate a deep and thorough exploration of a topic. For example, "The historian decided to delve into the archives to uncover new evidence".

What are some alternatives to "to delve into"?

Some alternatives include "to explore in depth", "to investigate thoroughly", or "to examine closely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "to delve into" in informal writing?

While "to delve into" is generally suitable for formal writing, it can sound overly elaborate in informal contexts. Consider using a simpler phrase like "to look into" or "to dig into" in casual conversation or writing.

What's the difference between "to delve into" and "to dabble in"?

"To delve into" implies a serious and thorough exploration, whereas "to dabble in" suggests a superficial or casual engagement with a subject. If you're conducting extensive research, you "delve into" the topic; if you're trying out a new hobby without much commitment, you "dabble in" it.