investigate
C1Formal (can be neutral in certain contexts like science or law)
Definition
Meaning
To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of a situation, event, or problem.
To look into or study something carefully in order to obtain information, understand it, or uncover hidden details; can be applied in scientific, police, journalistic, academic, and everyday contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a deliberate, thorough process with a goal of uncovering facts. More formal than 'look into'. It is a transitive verb but can be used intransitively (e.g., 'The police are investigating.').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Both use the same word in the same patterns.
Connotations
Identical connotations of thoroughness, formality, and official inquiry in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English in legal and corporate contexts due to the prominence of 'internal investigations' in corporate governance, but overall usage is very similar.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] (investigate sth)[V] (They are investigating.)[V wh-] (investigate whether/what/how...)[V-ing] (We are investigating using a new method.)[V to inf] (Rare, but possible: 'The committee was appointed to investigate to determine the cause.')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Leave no stone unturned (in investigating)”
- “Dig deeper (into an investigation)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board will investigate the accounting irregularities.
Academic
This paper aims to investigate the correlation between socioeconomic status and educational attainment.
Everyday
I need to investigate why my internet keeps dropping.
Technical
The engineers will investigate the structural integrity of the bridge using ultrasonic testing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council will investigate the noise complaints from the neighbours.
- Scientists are investigating a potential new treatment.
American English
- The FBI is investigating the cyberattack.
- We need to investigate all possible options before deciding.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher will investigate what happened.
- Can you investigate where the sound is coming from?
- The police are investigating the robbery at the bank.
- We are investigating the reasons for the computer failure.
- A journalist was sent to investigate allegations of corruption within the company.
- The study investigates the long-term effects of this diet on heart health.
- The parliamentary committee was established to investigate the ethical implications of the new legislation.
- The research team is meticulously investigating the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IN-VEST-i-GATE: Imagine a detective in a VEST, trying to GATE (open the gate) to find clues. IN the VEST, he has the tools to investigate.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVESTIGATION IS A JOURNEY (to go into a matter, to probe depths); INVESTIGATION IS SEEING (to look into, to scrutinize); INVESTIGATION IS UNCOVERING (to dig up facts, to expose the truth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'инвестировать' (to invest). 'Investigate' is 'расследовать' or 'изучать'.
- Avoid literal translation of phrases like 'to investigate a question' – more natural: 'to look into a matter'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for very casual searches: 'I'll investigate where I left my keys.' (Use 'look for').
- Confusing spelling: 'investagate' or 'investegate'.
- Wrong preposition: 'investigate about' (Correct: investigate + direct object or 'investigate into' is possible but less common).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate context for 'investigate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while it carries a formal tone in official contexts (law, science), it is commonly and naturally used in neutral everyday situations, especially when implying a careful search for information (e.g., 'I'll investigate why the printer isn't working').
Both involve systematic study. 'Investigate' often implies a specific problem, mystery, or allegation to be solved or uncovered (like a crime or fault). 'Research' is broader, often referring to the general, methodical study of a subject to establish facts or reach new conclusions, common in academic and scientific contexts.
The primary noun is 'investigation'. 'Investigator' refers to the person who investigates. There is no common abstract noun like 'investigativeness'.
Yes, intransitive use is common, especially when the subject is an authority or a process. For example: 'The police are investigating.' or 'An inquiry is currently investigating.'