were investigated for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were investigated for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or circumstances under which someone or something was subject to an investigation. Example: "The company executives were investigated for financial misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than 400 people were investigated for a series of mafia-connected crimes.

The Guardian

PCR-confirmed samples were investigated for the presence of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes.

Nature

The spectra were investigated for the presence of an emission component described by a power law.

Nature

Both a quadratic (PLQ) and a total-variation penalty (PLTV) were investigated for PL.

Stanford University

Electrochemical performances were investigated for 2032-type cellscells using charge-discharge equipment (VMP3, Bio-Logic).

Nature

Techniques were investigated for one nonglaciated and three glaciated terrains.

Developments in Soil Science

Strains were investigated for their structural recA gene by PCR.

Industrial Crops and Products

Different design alternatives were investigated for fuselage-representative test panels.

Composite Structures

For comparison, reef microbes collected between 2009 and 2016 from 22 Pacific islands were investigated for the presence of Psychrobacter.

Nature

Yet starting in 2006, well over 100 US public companies were investigated for engaging in the practice.

Harvard Business Review

A variety of catalysts were investigated for this purpose.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were investigated for", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what was under scrutiny and the object specifies the reason or focus of the investigation. This provides clarity and context to the reader.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of saying "they were investigated", specify "they were investigated for fraud" to provide necessary context and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were investigated for" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence was the recipient of an action (investigation) due to a specific reason. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

27%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were investigated for" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote that a subject underwent a formal inquiry due to specific reasons. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and frequent appearance across diverse sources, particularly in scientific, news, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure you explicitly state the reason behind the investigation to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives such as "were examined for" or "were scrutinized for" exist, "were investigated for" is generally appropriate when conveying a formal or official inquiry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were examined for

Emphasizes a detailed inspection to discover something.

were scrutinized for

Highlights a critical and thorough examination, often implying suspicion.

were probed for

Suggests a deep and thorough investigation, often seeking hidden information.

were audited for

Implies a formal and systematic examination of records or accounts.

were checked for

Focuses on verifying the presence or absence of something.

were assessed for

Highlights the evaluation or appraisal of something.

were reviewed for

Suggests a formal examination with the intent of making changes if necessary.

were researched for

Emphasizes a detailed and systematic study to discover new information.

were analyzed for

Focuses on breaking something down into its components to understand it better.

were inspected for

Highlights a careful and critical examination.

FAQs

How to use "were investigated for" in a sentence?

Use "were investigated for" to indicate that someone or something was subjected to a formal inquiry or examination because of a suspected wrongdoing or a specific issue. For example, "The company executives "were investigated for fraud"".

What can I say instead of "were investigated for"?

You can use alternatives like "were examined for", "were scrutinized for", or "were probed for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were investigated for" or "was investigated for"?

"Were investigated for" is used with plural subjects, while "was investigated for" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The documents were investigated for inconsistencies," but "The claim was investigated for validity".

What's the difference between "were investigated for" and "were examined for"?

"Were investigated for" implies a more formal or official inquiry, often related to suspected wrongdoing. "Were examined for" is a more general term, suggesting a closer look without necessarily implying suspicion or misconduct.