upon further investigation

USAGE SUMMARY

"upon further investigation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to signal that you took additional steps to gather information about something in order to reach a conclusion. For example: "Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the cause of the accident was driver error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The investigator contacted the coroner's office and upon further investigation identified the victim as a 13-year-old female who was reported missing to the Pico Rivera sheriff's station," an LAPD spokesman said.

Los Angeles Times

Upon further investigation, these theories fell apart.

The Guardian

Upon further investigation, I found out that she is still paying off her federal student loans.

The New York Times

Upon further investigation, she discovered the mother's boyfriend had died of Aids.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Upon further investigation I found one site with links to many medical articles on the water.

Harvard University

Sometimes patterns involving small numbers of objects or events disappear upon further investigation.

The Washington Post

(Wish I was)." Upon further investigation, it seems that Jay-Z has been Jay Z for a little while.

The Guardian - Music

Upon further investigation, the off-color of many of these fields was not due to wet conditions but foliar diseases.

Cornell University

"Upon further investigation, detectives had reason to believe that they were still in the neighborhood," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

Upon further investigation, the Army statement said, it was determined that 13 women and children were in the vehicle, which was said to be a van.

The New York Times

Upon further investigation, two important factors emerged: for some reason, Matilda was convinced that the photographer did not like her dress, and more important, she was hungry.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upon further investigation" to introduce findings that contradict initial assumptions or require additional context. For example: 'Initial reports suggested a simple accident; however, upon further investigation, foul play was suspected.'

Common error

Avoid using "upon further investigation" merely as a transition without presenting new or significant findings. It should introduce a notable development or change in understanding, not just restate known information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upon further investigation" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a statement or finding resulting from a more detailed or subsequent inquiry. It serves to highlight that additional scrutiny has led to new information or a revised understanding, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upon further investigation" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that introduces information derived from a more detailed inquiry, signaling a new understanding or discovery. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives exist, this phrase maintains a neutral to professional register and should be used to introduce significant findings rather than as a mere transition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

after a more thorough examination

Emphasizes the depth of the examination.

following closer scrutiny

Highlights a more detailed and careful review.

with additional research

Focuses on gathering more information.

on deeper analysis

Suggests a more profound analytical approach.

after looking into it further

More informal way to express further exploration.

in light of new evidence

Indicates new information has influenced the investigation.

as a result of further inquiry

Highlights the act of questioning to learn more.

subsequent to further probing

Focuses on the act of careful and thorough questioning or examination.

based on extended studies

Highlights research that was lengthened or expanded.

from a more complete assessment

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "upon further investigation" in a sentence?

Use "upon further investigation" to introduce a discovery made after an initial inquiry. For example: "The initial assessment showed no damage; however, "upon further investigation", cracks were found in the foundation."

What are some alternatives to saying "upon further investigation"?

You can use alternatives like "after a more thorough examination", "following closer scrutiny", or "with additional research" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "upon further investigation, we discovered"?

While not strictly redundant, consider streamlining the sentence. You could say "Further investigation revealed..." or "A deeper look showed..." to avoid unnecessary words.

How does the formality of "upon further investigation" compare to its alternatives?

"Upon further investigation" is generally considered neutral to formal. Alternatives like "after looking into it further" are more informal, while phrases such as "subsequent to further probing" lean toward the formal side.