- Do you ever wonder if you’re using the right verb or noun with ‘investigate’?
- Are you unsure whether to say ‘conduct an investigation’ or ‘make an investigation’?
- Have you struggled to choose the correct preposition when talking about an ‘investigation’?
Mastering collocations, those natural pairings of words that native speakers instinctively use, is a cornerstone of achieving true fluency in English. Far beyond just knowing individual words, understanding how they fit together in common phrases will make your language sound more authentic, precise, and less like a direct translation from your native tongue. This guide will deep dive into the world of ‘investigate’ and ‘investigation’, equipping you with the essential collocations to speak and write with confidence and accuracy.
Common Collocations with INVESTIGATE as a Verb
When ‘investigate’ functions as a verb, it means to inquire into, examine, or research in a systematic way to discover facts or information. It often carries a formal or official connotation.
Adverbs Modifying INVESTIGATE (How it’s done)
These adverbs describe the manner or intensity of the investigation.
- investigate thoroughly: to examine every detail carefully.
Example: The police promised to investigate thoroughly all leads in the missing person’s case. - investigate fully: to explore all aspects and leave no stone unturned.
Example: The committee needs more time to investigate fully the allegations of fraud. - investigate carefully: to proceed with caution and attention to detail.
Example: Scientists must investigate carefully the potential side effects of the new drug. - investigate diligently: to work with sustained effort and care.
Example: The detective investigated diligently for months before finding a breakthrough. - investigate impartially: to examine without bias or prejudice.
Example: An independent body was appointed to investigate impartially the public complaints. - investigate jointly: to conduct an inquiry together with others.
Example: The two agencies decided to investigate jointly the cross-border smuggling operation.
Nouns That INVESTIGATE (Who investigates)
These are common subjects of the verb ‘investigate’.
- police investigate: referring to law enforcement officers.
Example: The police investigate crimes and maintain public order. - authorities investigate: referring to official bodies with power.
Example: Health authorities investigate outbreaks of infectious diseases. - detectives investigate: referring to specialized police officers or private investigators.
Example: Expert detectives investigate complex cases like murder and kidnapping. - journalists investigate: referring to reporters who look into stories.
Example: Investigative journalists investigate corruption and social injustices. - a committee investigates: referring to a group formed for a specific purpose.
Example: A special committee investigates ethical breaches within the organization.
Nouns INVESTIGATED (What is investigated)
These are common objects of the verb ‘investigate’.
- investigate a crime/case: to look into a legal offense or specific legal matter.
Example: They are working hard to investigate a complex crime. - investigate a complaint: to look into an official expression of dissatisfaction.
Example: The department agreed to investigate a complaint lodged by the customer. - investigate an incident/accident: to examine an unfortunate or noteworthy event.
Example: Experts were called to investigate the cause of the plane accident. - investigate allegations/claims: to look into unproven assertions, often of wrongdoing.
Example: The company promised to investigate allegations of workplace harassment. - investigate the cause (of something): to determine the reason behind an event or problem.
Example: Engineers are trying to investigate the cause of the equipment malfunction. - investigate fraud: to look into acts of deception for personal gain.
Example: The financial watchdog will investigate serious fraud within the banking sector.
Essential Collocations using INVESTIGATION as a Noun
When ‘investigation’ functions as a noun, it refers to the formal inquiry or systematic examination itself.
Verbs Commonly Used with INVESTIGATION (What you do with it)
These verbs describe actions related to the process of an investigation.
- conduct an investigation: to perform or carry out an inquiry. (Most common and formal)
Example: The police will conduct a full investigation into the matter. - launch an investigation: to start or initiate an investigation, often formally.
Example: The authorities decided to launch an investigation following the public outcry. - open an investigation: similar to ‘launch’, to begin an official inquiry.
Example: The district attorney’s office plans to open an investigation into the allegations. - carry out an investigation: to perform an investigation. (Similar to ‘conduct’)
Example: Detectives are currently carrying out an investigation at the crime scene. - conclude an investigation: to bring an investigation to an end.
Example: They hope to conclude the investigation by the end of the month. - cooperate with an investigation: to assist or work together in an inquiry.
Example: Witnesses are urged to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. - obstruct an investigation: to hinder or block the progress of an inquiry.
Example: It is a serious offense to obstruct an investigation. - call for an investigation: to demand or request an official inquiry.
Example: Opposition parties called for an independent investigation into the minister’s conduct.
Adjectives Modifying INVESTIGATION (Type or Quality of investigation)
These adjectives specify the nature or characteristic of the investigation.
- a full investigation: a comprehensive and complete inquiry.
Example: We need to see a full investigation to understand what truly happened. - a thorough investigation: an inquiry that covers every detail.
Example: The report resulted from a thorough investigation by forensic experts. - a detailed investigation: an inquiry that focuses on specifics.
Example: The auditors performed a detailed investigation of the company’s finances. - an internal investigation: an inquiry conducted within an organization.
Example: The company initiated an internal investigation into the data breach. - an independent investigation: an inquiry conducted by an unbiased external party.
Example: Public trust requires an independent investigation, not one led by the implicated party. - an ongoing investigation: an inquiry that is still in progress.
Example: We cannot comment further as there is an ongoing investigation. - a criminal investigation: an inquiry into a suspected crime.
Example: The FBI opened a criminal investigation into the cyberattack. - a preliminary investigation: an initial, exploratory inquiry.
Example: A preliminary investigation suggested a technical fault.
Prepositional Phrases with INVESTIGATION
These phrases show relationships or status concerning an investigation.
- under investigation: currently being examined or inquired into.
Example: The company’s financial practices are currently under investigation. - an investigation into (something): specifying the subject of the inquiry.
Example: There will be an investigation into the disappearance of the funds. - an investigation of (something): similar to ‘into’, but sometimes referring to a study or analysis.
Example: Scientists are conducting an investigation of the long-term effects of pollution.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| investigate thoroughly | Verb + Adverb | Examine every detail carefully. |
| police investigate | Noun + Verb | Law enforcement conducts inquiries. |
| investigate a crime | Verb + Noun | Inquire into a legal offense. |
| conduct an investigation | Verb + Noun | Perform or carry out a formal inquiry. |
| launch an investigation | Verb + Noun | Start an official inquiry. |
| full investigation | Adjective + Noun | A comprehensive and complete inquiry. |
| ongoing investigation | Adjective + Noun | An inquiry currently in progress. |
| under investigation | Prepositional Phrase | Currently being formally examined. |
| investigation into | Noun + Preposition | An inquiry focused on a specific subject. |
| cooperate with an investigation | Verb + Noun | Assist in an official inquiry. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid these common errors to sound more natural when using ‘investigate’ and ‘investigation’.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make an investigation into the matter. | Conduct an investigation into the matter. / Launch an investigation into the matter. |
| The police are investigating about the crime. | The police are investigating the crime. / The police are conducting an investigation into the crime. |
| He makes an investigation on the problem. | He carries out an investigation into the problem. / He investigates the problem. |
| The accident is in investigation. | The accident is under investigation. |
| We need to study the allegations. | We need to investigate the allegations. (More formal/official) |
Subject: Update on Recent Incident
Dear Team,
Following the technical malfunction reported yesterday, I want to assure you that we are taking this matter very seriously. We have immediately launched an internal investigation to determine the root cause. Our engineering department is currently carrying out a detailed investigation, working diligently to investigate thoroughly all possible factors. We urge all relevant personnel to cooperate fully with the investigation as we aim to conclude the investigation as quickly as possible. Please remember that providing accurate information is crucial while this incident remains under investigation. We will keep you updated on the progress of the investigation into the software bug.
Best regards,
Sarah Chen
Head of Operations
Frequently Asked Questions about Investigate Collocations
What is the main difference between “investigate” and “research”?
While both involve gathering information, “investigate” typically implies a formal, systematic inquiry into something problematic or mysterious (e.g., a crime, a complaint, an accident) to uncover facts or find a solution. “Research“, on the other hand, is generally broader, often academic, and focuses on systematic study to discover new knowledge, test theories, or solve problems in a general field (e.g., medical research, market research). You investigate a case, but you research a topic.
Can I use “investigate about” a topic?
No, “investigate about” is generally considered incorrect or unnatural in modern English. As a transitive verb, “investigate” directly takes an object: you investigate a crime, investigate a complaint, or investigate the cause. If you need a preposition with the noun form, it’s typically “an investigation into” or “an investigation of“.
Is “investigate” only used for serious matters like crimes?
While “investigate” often carries a formal or serious tone and is commonly associated with crimes, it’s not exclusively limited to them. You can investigate a complaint, investigate a technical fault, investigate market trends, or investigate a new business opportunity. It simply implies a thorough, systematic examination of something that requires deeper understanding or resolution.
What’s the best way to say that an inquiry is currently happening?
The most common and natural collocation for this is “under investigation“. For example, “The company’s finances are under investigation.” You can also say “an ongoing investigation” (as a noun phrase: “There is an ongoing investigation into the incident”) or use the verb form: “The police are investigating the case.”
Are “look into” and “investigate” interchangeable?
They are similar but not perfectly interchangeable. “Look into” is generally more informal and implies a less rigorous or official inquiry. You might “look into” a minor issue or a suggestion. “Investigate” suggests a more formal, thorough, and often official process, especially when there are serious implications or a need for a detailed report. For instance, a manager might “look into” a minor scheduling conflict, but the police would “investigate” a serious crime.
When should I use “conduct an investigation” versus just “investigate”?
You use “investigate” when the word itself is the verb: “The police investigated the crime.” You use “conduct an investigation” when ‘investigation’ is the noun, and ‘conduct’ is the verb describing the action of carrying out that inquiry. Both are correct, but “conduct an investigation” often emphasizes the formal process or effort involved, and it’s a very common and natural collocation for the noun form.
I love how you explain the 'why' behind using certain collocations. It makes it so much easier to remember and apply. This is much better than just a list of phrases.
Sophie, we completely agree! Understanding the rationale behind collocations helps them stick in your mind much better. We aim to provide not just the answers, but the insights that empower you to think like a native speaker. Happy learning!
Thank you for this! I've been trying to improve my vocabulary beyond just individual words, and collocations are definitely the next step. I've often seen 'launch an investigation'. Is that correct too?
That's an excellent question, Diego! Yes, 'launch an investigation' is a perfectly correct and very common collocation, meaning to officially start an investigation. It implies the beginning of a formal inquiry, much like 'initiate an investigation.' Great job spotting that!
This is brilliant! My native language doesn't have such strict collocation rules, so this concept is always a challenge. The 'formal or official connotation' for 'investigate' is a key takeaway for me.
Nina, you've pinpointed a crucial aspect! Understanding the formality and context is just as important as the words themselves. It's a common hurdle for many learners, and we're here to help you navigate those nuances of English.
As a non-native speaker, I sometimes struggle to make my formal writing sound natural. This article helps a lot with words like 'investigate' that are often used in professional contexts. The example sentences are clear and useful.
We're glad to provide that clarity for your formal writing, Ben! Mastering these natural pairings is incredibly valuable for professional communication. Keep practicing with the example sentences, and your confidence will surely grow!
What a great blog post! It's so hard to find good resources for collocations. I'm going to bookmark Translateen.com right away. Are there plans for more articles on other common verbs?
Thank you, Chloe! We're thrilled you found us and that our content is useful. Yes, we absolutely have plans for more articles covering collocations with other common and often tricky verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Stay connected with us for future updates!
I'm still a bit confused about when to use 'fully' versus 'thoroughly'. Is 'fully investigate' stronger than 'thoroughly investigate'? Or is it about different aspects?
That's a common point of confusion, Omar. 'Investigate thoroughly' emphasizes attention to detail and careful examination of every part. 'Investigate fully' emphasizes exploring all aspects or dimensions of something, ensuring nothing is left untouched. They are very close but 'fully' can imply scope (all areas), while 'thoroughly' implies depth (careful examination within those areas). Often, they overlap, but consider if you mean 'leaving no stone unturned' (thoroughly) or 'covering all possible angles' (fully).
My English teacher always tells us to pay attention to collocations. This article on 'investigate' is a perfect example of why! I never considered the subtle differences between adverbs before. Very educational.
We're happy to reinforce your teacher's excellent advice, Maria! Paying attention to those subtle differences in adverbs makes a big impact on precision and clarity. It's these details that truly polish your English.
As an advanced learner, I often focus too much on vocabulary and less on how words combine. This article is a great reminder that collocations are key to sounding truly native. Thanks for this clear explanation!
That's a fantastic insight, Jin! Many advanced learners find that collocations are the 'secret sauce' to elevating their English. We're glad we could provide a valuable reminder and deepen your understanding of these natural word pairings. Keep challenging yourself!
Wonderful resource! The examples provided are very clear. I'm curious about the noun 'investigation.' The intro mentioned struggling to choose prepositions. Will there be a follow-up article on prepositions with 'investigation' (e.g., 'investigation into,' 'investigation of')?
Absolutely, Priya! You've anticipated our next move! We definitely plan to cover the noun form 'investigation' and its common prepositions in an upcoming article. Stay tuned to Translateen.com so you don't miss it!
I appreciate the focus on the formal/official connotation of 'investigate'. It helps me choose the right verb depending on the context. Sometimes I accidentally use too formal language in casual settings. Are there less formal synonyms for 'investigate'?
That's a very astute observation, Elena! For less formal contexts, you might use verbs like 'look into,' 'check out,' or 'find out about.' For example, instead of 'I will investigate the problem with my car,' you could say 'I will look into the problem with my car.' These are perfect for everyday situations!