under study

USAGE SUMMARY

"under study" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used as an adjective to describe something that is being looked into or studied. For example, "The new policy is currently under study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Consider the population under study.

The New York Times - Health

Many risks are under study.

The New York Times

synthesized the compound under study.

Nature

The biological factors are still under study.

The New York Times

That one is still under study.

The New York Times

structure of the switching behaviors under study.

University of California, Berkeley

But it continues to be very much under study".

The New York Times

First, the subjects under study "can argue back".

The New York Times - Books

A formal request is under study, the Panamanian official said.

The New York Times

The counterpart tags are attached to the genes under study.

The New York Times - Science

The molecular basis of this cytoplasmic filter is under study.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under study" to clearly indicate that a topic, subject, or problem is currently being examined or investigated. This helps avoid ambiguity and clearly communicates the status of the item.

Common error

Avoid using "under study" when you mean something has already been thoroughly examined and the study is complete. "Under study" means the investigation is still in progress, while "studied" implies completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under study" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies (e.g., a policy, a drug, a phenomenon) is currently being investigated or examined. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under study" functions as an adjective phrase, commonly used to denote that a particular subject is currently being investigated or analyzed. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Academia. Its communicative purpose is to inform that something is in the process of examination, with a neutral to formal register. While semantically similar alternatives like "being investigated" and "under investigation" exist, "under study" remains a clear and effective way to convey the state of ongoing analysis. Remember to avoid using it interchangeably with "studied", which implies completion. With its frequent usage and clear meaning, "under study" is a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being investigated

Focuses on the action of investigating, highlighting the process of inquiry.

being researched

Emphasizes the formal research aspect, implying a systematic investigation.

under investigation

Highlights that an official or formal inquiry is taking place.

being analyzed

Focuses on the analytical aspect, suggesting a detailed examination.

under consideration

Suggests that something is being thought about and evaluated.

being examined

Emphasizes a close and careful inspection or scrutiny.

in the process of being reviewed

Highlights the act of reviewing, implying a more formal assessment.

subject to analysis

Indicates that something will undergo detailed examination and scrutiny.

currently being assessed

Focuses on evaluation aspect, typically implying a judgment or appraisal.

in development

Indicates that something is in the process of being created or refined, which may include study.

FAQs

How can I use "under study" in a sentence?

Use "under study" to describe something that is currently being investigated or analyzed, such as, "The effects of the new drug are "under study"."

What's a formal alternative to "under study"?

In formal contexts, you can replace "under study" with phrases like "under investigation" or "subject to analysis".

Is it correct to say "under studying" instead of "under study"?

No, "under studying" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""under study"", where "under" functions as a preposition and "study" as a noun.

What is the difference between "under study" and "being studied"?

"Under study" is an adjective phrase describing the current state of something, while "being studied" is a verb phrase expressing the action of studying something. The difference is subtle but "being studied" emphasizes the action itself.