undertake a study

USAGE SUMMARY

"undertake a study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a research project or survey being conducted. For example, "The university is undertaking a study to better understand student learning styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Les Reed who got it started, having been asked to undertake a study of the club in the 2009-10 season.

The Guardian - Sport

This project led him to undertake a study of elevations in southern Louisiana, which yielded some unexpected — and, in many circles, unwelcome — results.

The New Yorker

Canada's new ranking and Dr. Yergin's analysis prompted the Energy Department to undertake a study of the potential of Canada's oil sands, according to a senior department official.

The New York Times

Six years later, William Schuman commissioned him to undertake a study of New York's moribund chamber music scene, and to outline a season's worth of concerts.

The New York Times - Arts

Human beings are instructed in the Qur'an by God to undertake a study of the creation of the heavens and the earth.

The Guardian - Opinion

In retrospect, Chaplin was lucky that a historian and writer as diligent as Mr. Rosengarten decided to undertake a study of his life in the antebellum years.

The New York Times - Books

Secondly, I suggest that they undertake a study of some of the design control that is routinely undertaken in other countries.

The Guardian

He said Correction Commis sioner George F. McGrath had suggested that Rand undertake a study of the city's prison sys tem.

The New York Times

Willughby and Ray agreed to undertake a study of the complete natural history of living things, with Ray responsible for the plant kingdom and Willughby the animal.

Britannica

The Copyright Advisory Office received a grant from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation to undertake a study analyzing license agreements from a sample of museums.

Columbia University

Concealing his priestly profession, he offered his services to Tsar Alexis and was hired to undertake a study of Slavic grammar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "undertake a study" is generally appropriate, alternatives like "conduct research" or "perform an analysis" may be more suitable depending on the specific nature of the investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake a study" in casual or informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "look into" or "check out" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake a study" functions as a verb phrase, where "undertake" is the verb and "a study" is the direct object. It indicates the action of starting or engaging in a systematic investigation or research project, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undertake a study" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying the commencement or engagement in a formal research endeavor. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's prevalent across scientific, news, and business contexts, indicating its versatility in professional and academic discourse. When aiming to convey a serious and methodical approach to investigation, opting for "undertake a study" is generally appropriate. However, in more casual settings, consider alternatives like "look into" or "check out" to maintain an appropriate tone. Remembering these nuances will allow for more impactful and contextually relevant communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct research

Focuses more specifically on research activities, implying a systematic investigation.

carry out an investigation

Emphasizes the investigative aspect, often implying a formal inquiry.

perform an analysis

Highlights the analytical aspect, suggesting a detailed examination of data or information.

engage in a review

Suggests a more evaluative approach, focusing on assessing existing information or practices.

begin an evaluation

Focuses specifically on the evaluative aspect of the work.

launch an inquiry

Implies a formal or official investigation, often with the goal of uncovering facts or resolving a dispute.

initiate an assessment

Focuses on evaluating the current state or performance of something.

pursue a line of inquiry

Emphasizes the active pursuit of information and understanding.

embark on a project

Broadens the scope to include any type of project, not necessarily research-focused.

delve into the matter

Suggests a more in-depth and exploratory approach to understanding a topic.

FAQs

What does "undertake a study" mean?

To "undertake a study" means to begin or engage in a process of systematic investigation or research to gain knowledge or understanding of a particular subject.

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

You can use "undertake a study" in a sentence like, "The university decided to "undertake a study" to assess the impact of social media on student learning."

What are some alternatives to "undertake a study"?

Some alternatives to "undertake a study" include "conduct research", "carry out an investigation", or "perform an analysis", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "undertake a study" versus "do a study"?

"Undertake a study" is more formal and implies a serious, methodical approach. "Do a study" is more casual and suitable for less formal contexts. For example, in academic papers, ""undertake a study"" is more appropriate, while "do a study" might be used in informal discussions.