we should investigate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we should investigate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that an inquiry or examination is necessary regarding a particular issue or situation. Example: "Given the recent discrepancies in the data, we should investigate further to understand the root cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

We should investigate it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Want to suggest ideas for topics you think we should investigate?

The Guardian

As we learn from the data we will discover more that we should investigate," says Goldstein.

University of California, Berkeley

He added: "I never heard anything that gave me cause to think we should investigate it.

Independent

This will affect everyone so we'd encourage you to suggest ideas for topics you think we should investigate.

The Guardian

"While the case for digital currency is not universal, we should investigate it further — seriously, carefully and creatively," she said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

We believe the police should investigate violent incidents thoroughly, and that the government should take reports of pressure on journalists seriously.

The Economist

I told him that the library does not provide research services and described the materials we have that he should investigate.

The New York Times - Magazine

We suggest that unit leaders should investigate the root cause of their residual infections rather than implementing further measures piecemeal.

Critical Care

We suggest that future studies should investigate the different relationship between anxiety and depression with disease in general and malignant disease in particular.

BMC Cancer

HMRC should investigate this".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we should investigate", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific aspect or area requires investigation. Be specific rather than vague to prompt concrete action.

Common error

Avoid repeatedly suggesting investigations without outlining potential steps or resources for carrying them out. Presenting preliminary steps enhances the likelihood of your suggestion being acted upon.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we should investigate" functions as a suggestion or recommendation, typically made by a group or individual with some level of authority, proposing a formal inquiry or examination of a specific matter. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we should investigate" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to suggest or recommend a formal inquiry or examination. Ludwig AI shows it’s particularly frequent in news, media, and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what needs investigation and propose actionable steps to increase the likelihood of your suggestion being followed. Alternatives such as "we ought to examine" or "further inquiry is needed" can be used to vary the phrasing while conveying a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we ought to examine

Replaces "should" with "ought to", slightly increasing the level of formality.

we need to explore

Substitutes "investigate" with "explore", suggesting a broader, less structured inquiry.

we must look into

Replaces "should investigate" with "must look into", increasing the sense of necessity.

it warrants investigation

Changes the structure to emphasize the necessity of an investigation, rather than a suggestion.

further inquiry is needed

Shifts the focus to the requirement for inquiry, removing the direct suggestion.

it calls for scrutiny

Emphasizes careful and critical examination, replacing "investigate" with "scrutiny".

let's delve into

Offers a more proactive and engaged approach to the inquiry, using "delve into" instead of "investigate".

we propose to examine

Formally suggests an examination, which is interchangeable with the term "investigate".

an inquiry is advisable

Suggests that an inquiry is recommended, using passive voice to phrase the request.

a review is recommended

Uses the term "review" in place of investigation. A review may be less intense and less formalized than an investigation.

FAQs

How do I use "we should investigate" in a sentence?

Use "we should investigate" to propose a careful examination or inquiry into a specific matter. For example: "Given the anomalies in the financial reports, "we should investigate" the accounting practices."

What can I say instead of "we should investigate"?

You can use alternatives like "we ought to examine", "we need to explore", or "further inquiry is needed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we should investigate" or "we must investigate"?

"We should investigate" suggests a recommendation, while "we must investigate" implies a stronger necessity or obligation. The choice depends on the urgency and importance of the situation. Using "we must look into" indicates a more critical need for action.

When is it appropriate to use "we should investigate" in professional writing?

It's appropriate in situations where there's a need for further examination, such as identifying problems, verifying data, or understanding a situation more thoroughly. For instance, "it warrants investigation if the project timeline starts to slip."