while investigating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while investigating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action is taking place concurrently with the process of investigation. Example: "The team discovered new evidence while investigating the case further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He vanished while investigating the Iranian regime.

Independent

He vanished while investigating the Iranian government for the US.

The Guardian

While investigating a mysterious accident involving her family, an artist falls hard for a marine biologist.

The New York Times - Books

Detectives learned about the suspected black markets while investigating a stolen-car ring, Chief Thynne said.

The New York Times

A private eye and a poetry professor she meets while investigating a student's disappearance.

The New York Times

He played a police officer uncovering corruption in Mexico while investigating a local cartel.

The Guardian - Film

The F.B.I. found new e-mails related to Clinton while investigating Abedin's husband, Anthony Weiner.

The New Yorker

The limited need for secrecy while investigating domestic terrorism hardly justifies blanket stonewalling.

The New York Times

While investigating, the police learned about the death of Mrs. Corneau's baby, Jeremiah.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The author takes a reflection selfie while investigating a rape, torture, and homicide.

Vice

The four sections of Performance Histories represent different approaches to sustaining that force, while investigating its constitutive ambiguities.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the sentence structure maintains clarity by placing the action that occurs "while investigating" close to the phrase itself. This prevents ambiguity and enhances readability.

Common error

Avoid placing "while investigating" too far from the subject it modifies, which can create confusion. For instance, instead of "Detectives reviewed the files, while investigating the suspects background", write "While investigating the suspect's background, detectives reviewed the files".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while investigating" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it modifies a clause, indicating that an action is happening concurrently with the process of investigating. The examples provided show it linking an investigation with actions or discoveries made during that process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while investigating" is a versatile and common way to link an action or event to an ongoing investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across various contexts, from news reports to scientific studies. Its primary function is to indicate that something occurred concurrently with an investigative process. While alternatives like "during the investigation" exist, "while investigating" emphasizes the simultaneity of events. Use it to clearly connect actions and discoveries to their investigative context, ensuring your writing remains clear and informative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the investigation

Replaces the "while + gerund" structure with a prepositional phrase, offering a more concise alternative.

in the process of investigating

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the investigation as the action unfolds.

as they investigated

Shifts to a past tense narrative, highlighting the temporal sequence of events.

upon investigating

Implies that the action occurs immediately after the investigation commences.

in connection with the investigation

Connects the action more broadly to the investigative context, rather than a specific timeframe.

while carrying out the inquiry

Substitutes "investigating" with "carrying out the inquiry", offering a more formal tone.

during the examination

Replaces "investigation" with "examination", suggesting a more detailed scrutiny.

through the investigation

Highlights the continuous progression of the action across the duration of the investigation.

as part of the investigation

Indicates the action is one component of a broader investigative effort.

when probing

Uses the verb "probing" to replace "investigating", suggesting a more in-depth or exploratory approach.

FAQs

How can I use "while investigating" in a sentence?

Use "while investigating" to show simultaneous actions during an investigation. For example: "The team discovered new evidence "while investigating" the case further."

What are some alternatives to "while investigating"?

You can use alternatives such as "during the investigation", "in the process of investigating", or "as they investigated" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "during the investigation" and "while investigating"?

"During the investigation" typically refers to the entire period of investigation, whereas ""while investigating"" highlights concurrent actions happening at the same time within that period.

Can "while investigating" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""while investigating"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts. It clearly conveys the timing of events during an inquiry.