investigation
C1Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The formal, systematic process of examining something (an event, situation, or evidence) to discover facts, establish truth, or uncover details.
Any detailed, careful inquiry or study into something to gather information, solve a problem, or answer questions. Can range from official inquiries to personal curiosity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Inherently implies a methodical and thorough process, not a casual look. Often suggests something is hidden, unclear, or potentially wrong.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The basic meaning is identical. In the UK, 'investigation' is more commonly collocated with 'launch' or 'carry out'. In the US, it is also frequently paired with 'conduct'.
Connotations
In both, strongly associated with legal, police, and scientific contexts. Slightly higher frequency in US media regarding political or corporate probes.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both, with near-equal usage. Corpus data shows it is a top 3000 word in both major English varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NOUN + into + NOUN (investigation into the allegations)NOUN + of + NOUN (investigation of the crime scene)PREP + NOUN (under investigation)VERB + NOUN (launch an investigation)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Leave no stone unturned in the investigation.”
- “The investigation is still in its infancy.”
- “The matter is under investigation.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board ordered an internal investigation into the accounting discrepancies.
Academic
The investigation's methodology involved a double-blind peer-reviewed study.
Everyday
Our investigation into the best local pizza place led us to that little Italian spot.
Technical
The forensic investigation utilized gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The police are investigating the break-in.
- We need to investigate the matter fully before deciding.
American English
- The committee will investigate the allegations.
- Scientists investigate the causes of climate change.
adverb
British English
- He looked at the data investigatively, searching for patterns.
- The team worked investigatively through the archives.
American English
- She approached the problem investigatively.
- They proceeded investigatively, step by step.
adjective
British English
- The investigatory panel published its findings.
- She has strong investigative skills.
American English
- The investigative reporter broke the story.
- An investigative committee was formed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police started an investigation.
- Our teacher said we should do an investigation with plants.
- After the accident, there was a full investigation to find out what happened.
- The investigation into the missing money is still ongoing.
- The journalist's investigation uncovered evidence of corruption at the highest levels.
- A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
- The parliamentary investigation was hampered by a lack of cooperation from key witnesses.
- His doctoral thesis involved a meticulous investigation of 14th-century trade routes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
INVEST in finding the truth through a rigorous GATION (like 'question' or 'interrogation').
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUTH IS A HIDDEN OBJECT / PROBLEM-SOLVING IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'The investigation led us down a new path.', 'We are digging for the truth.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of "расследование" in all contexts (e.g., academic 'research' is not usually 'investigation').
- Avoid using 'investigation' for simple 'checking' or 'looking into' something minor (use 'look into' or 'check').
- The verb 'to investigate' is more formal than Russian 'исследовать', which can mean simply 'to study'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'investigation on' instead of 'investigation into/of'.
- Pronouncing it as /ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪʃən/ (stress on second syllable, not first).
- Using it for non-systematic inquiry: 'I did a quick investigation of my email' is unnatural.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for a formal 'investigation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Investigation' implies a specific problem or mystery to solve, often with legal or official overtones. 'Research' is broader, systematic study to establish facts or develop theories, common in academic/science contexts.
No, this is not a standard collocation. Use 'carry out', 'conduct', 'launch', 'do', or 'undertake an investigation'.
Yes. You can have 'an investigation' or 'several investigations'. The uncountable form is rare but possible in very abstract uses (e.g., 'a process of investigation').
Systematic and methodical process aimed at discovering facts or truth, typically about something unknown, suspicious, or complex.
Collections
Part of a collection
Crime and Justice
B1 · 46 words · Vocabulary for law, crime and the justice system.
Media Analysis
B2 · 49 words · Critically analyzing media and information.
Academic Vocabulary
C1 · 36 words · Formal academic language used in scholarly writing.