undertook a study

USAGE SUMMARY

"undertook a study" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any sort of investigation, research, or analysis. For example: "The professor undertook a study of the effects of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So the company undertook a study of Ketek in 24,000 patients to prove its safety.

The New York Times - Science

Merck, for instance, undertook a study that proved convincingly that its anticholesterol drug Zocor saves lives.

The New York Times

In 2003 the RIBA undertook a study on why women were leaving architecture.

The Guardian

He undertook a study of every musical produced on Broadway between 1945 and 1989.

The New Yorker

After the initial layoffs, Mr. Marsal recalled, Western Union undertook a study of all its businesses.

The New York Times

When his wife was sent as a diplomat to Egypt, he undertook a study of living conditions in Palestine.

The New York Times

The National Center for Schools and Communities at Fordham undertook a study of the city's more than 1,100 public schools last year.

The New York Times

Ms. Flick, who is based in Neenah, Wis., said the company undertook a study to determine how women felt about their periods and various feminine-care products.

The New York Times

And last fall the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry undertook a study of people who might have had other, lesser exposure to the dust.

The New York Times

Noting the void, three Columbia Business School professors undertook a study of 600 companies, examining their performance over the last 20 years.

The New York Times

Whirlpool undertook a study of "washer architectures" around the world and started a lengthy consumer research campaign to try to figure out what appliance buyers might respond to.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undertook a study", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose and scope of the research. Provide enough detail to inform the reader about what the study aimed to achieve.

Common error

Avoid using "undertook a study" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "did a study" or "researched" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertook a study" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation or performance of a research activity. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's often used to introduce the purpose or methodology of an investigation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undertook a study" is a formal way to describe the initiation of research. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its common usage across academic, scientific, and news contexts. While acceptable, simpler alternatives exist for informal settings. As evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples, it is essential to provide context regarding the purpose and scope of the study when using this phrase. Remember that while interchangeable, phrases like "conducted a study" or "carried out a study", can be more common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducted a study

Replaces "undertook" with a more common synonym, "conducted".

carried out a study

Uses "carried out" as a substitute for "undertook", maintaining the meaning of performing a study.

performed a study

Similar to "carried out a study", replacing "undertook" with "performed".

initiated a study

Focuses on the beginning of the study process.

commenced a study

A more formal synonym for starting a study.

launched a study

Implies a more significant or public start to the study.

executed a study

Emphasizes the process of carrying out the study.

investigated a topic

Shifts the focus to the subject of the study rather than the study itself.

researched a topic

Highlights the research aspect of the study.

explored a question

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the study.

FAQs

What does "undertook a study" mean?

The phrase "undertook a study" means to have started or conducted a formal investigation or research on a particular subject.

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

You can use "undertook a study" to describe the initiation of a research project. For example: "The researchers "undertook a study" to determine the effects of the new drug."

What are some alternatives to "undertook a study"?

Some alternatives include "conducted a study", "carried out a study", or "performed a study". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "undertook a study" formal or informal?

"Undertook a study" is considered a formal phrase, generally used in academic, scientific, or professional writing. Simpler alternatives are more appropriate for informal contexts.