- Do you ever wonder if you’re using “investigation” correctly, or if it sounds a bit… off?
- Are you unsure which verbs or adjectives naturally pair with “investigation” in English?
- Do you struggle to express the nuances of an inquiry without sounding unnatural?
Mastering collocations isn’t just about memorizing words; it’s about unlocking the natural rhythm and fluency of English. When you learn which words consistently go together, like ‘conduct’ with ‘investigation,’ you not only sound more native but also communicate with greater precision and confidence. This article will guide you through the essential collocations with “investigation,” helping you navigate its usage like a seasoned speaker.
Verbs That Go with INVESTIGATION
These verbs describe actions performed on or with an investigation.
Initiating and Starting an Investigation
- Launch an investigation: To officially start a formal inquiry.
Example: The police decided to launch a full investigation into the mysterious disappearance.
- Open an investigation: Similar to launch, often used when an official case begins.
Example: Following the complaint, the internal affairs department chose to open an investigation.
- Initiate an investigation: To cause an investigation to begin.
Example: New evidence prompted the authorities to initiate a fresh investigation.
Carrying Out and Leading an Investigation
- Conduct an investigation: The most common verb, meaning to perform or carry out the process of an inquiry.
Example: Detectives will conduct a thorough investigation to find the truth.
- Carry out an investigation: Synonymous with ‘conduct,’ emphasizing the execution of the process.
Example: The team was tasked to carry out a detailed investigation into the security breach.
- Lead an investigation: To be in charge of or direct an inquiry.
Example: Inspector Davies was chosen to lead the complex investigation.
- Undertake an investigation: To formally commit to and begin the task of investigating.
Example: The company had to undertake an internal investigation after the allegations surfaced.
Concluding and Managing an Investigation
- Conclude an investigation: To bring an investigation to an end, usually with a result.
Example: After months of work, they hope to conclude the investigation by next week.
- Close an investigation: To formally end an inquiry, often when no further action is required.
Example: Without sufficient evidence, the police had no choice but to close the investigation.
- Widen an investigation: To expand the scope or focus of an inquiry.
Example: New leads forced them to widen the investigation to include other departments.
Adjectives Describing an INVESTIGATION
These adjectives provide more detail about the nature, scope, or type of an investigation.
Scope and Depth of an Investigation
- Thorough investigation: An investigation that is complete and pays attention to every detail.
Example: The journalist promised a thorough investigation into the corruption claims.
- Full investigation: An investigation that is comprehensive and leaves no stone unturned.
Example: The public demanded a full investigation into how the funds were managed.
- Detailed investigation: An inquiry focusing on specific facts and particulars.
Example: A detailed investigation revealed several inconsistencies in the report.
- Extensive investigation: An investigation covering a wide range of areas or information.
Example: The scandal required an extensive investigation across multiple government agencies.
Type and Status of an Investigation
- Internal investigation: An inquiry conducted within an organization, not by external authorities.
Example: The company initiated an internal investigation into employee misconduct.
- Criminal investigation: An inquiry into alleged criminal activity.
Example: The detective specializes in criminal investigations involving fraud.
- Police investigation: An inquiry carried out by law enforcement.
Example: A police investigation is underway following the burglary.
- Independent investigation: An inquiry conducted by a neutral party, free from bias.
Example: An independent investigation ensured fairness and transparency.
- Ongoing investigation: An investigation that is currently in progress.
Example: Details are scarce due to the ongoing investigation.
- Preliminary investigation: An initial inquiry to gather basic facts and determine if a full investigation is needed.
Example: The council launched a preliminary investigation into the safety concerns.
Prepositional Phrases and Nouns in an INVESTIGATION Context
These collocations show how “investigation” interacts with prepositions and other nouns to form meaningful phrases.
Prepositions with Investigation
- Investigation into: Used to specify the subject or area being investigated.
Example: There is an investigation into the cause of the accident.
- Investigation of: Similar to ‘into,’ often used when the subject is a person or specific incident.
Example: The investigation of the suspect’s background yielded important clues.
- Investigation by: Used to indicate who is conducting the investigation.
Example: An investigation by the special prosecutor has begun.
Nouns Related to Investigation
- Investigation team: A group of people working together on an inquiry.
Example: The investigation team worked tirelessly through the night.
- Scope of the investigation: The extent or range of what is being investigated.
Example: We need to define the exact scope of the investigation before we start.
- Findings of the investigation: The results or conclusions reached after an inquiry.
Example: The findings of the investigation will be published next month.
| Collocation | Part of Speech (of partner word) | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| launch an investigation | Verb | To officially start an inquiry |
| conduct an investigation | Verb | To carry out an inquiry |
| lead an investigation | Verb | To be in charge of an inquiry |
| conclude an investigation | Verb | To finish an inquiry |
| thorough investigation | Adjective | A complete and detailed inquiry |
| internal investigation | Adjective | An inquiry within an organization |
| ongoing investigation | Adjective | An inquiry currently in progress |
| investigation into | Preposition | The subject of the inquiry |
| investigation team | Noun | A group performing an inquiry |
| findings of the investigation | Noun (possessive) | The results/conclusions of the inquiry |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learning to avoid common pitfalls will make your English sound more authentic.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| make an investigation | conduct an investigation / carry out an investigation |
| begin an investigation | launch an investigation / open an investigation / initiate an investigation |
| finish an investigation | conclude an investigation / close an investigation |
| a big investigation | a thorough investigation / an extensive investigation |
| an investigation on the crime | an investigation into the crime |
Subject: Update on Incident at Warehouse C
Dear Team,
Following the recent incident at Warehouse C, we immediately decided to launch an internal investigation. A dedicated investigation team has been formed, led by Ms. Chen, to conduct a thorough investigation into the root causes. We understand this is a serious matter, and we are committed to ensuring an independent investigation takes place. We will keep you informed as the ongoing investigation progresses, and we expect the findings of the investigation to be released as soon as we can conclude the investigation responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Investigation Collocations
What is the most common verb to use with “investigation”?
The most common and natural verb to use is “conduct an investigation.” You’ll hear this in nearly all professional and news contexts. Other strong options include “carry out an investigation” or “launch an investigation” if you’re emphasizing the start of it.
Can I say “do an investigation”?
While grammatically understandable, “do an investigation” is not considered natural or professional English. Native speakers almost always prefer “conduct an investigation,” “carry out an investigation,” or “perform an investigation.” Avoid “do” for a more sophisticated sound.
Which prepositions are typically used with “investigation”?
The most common prepositions are “into” and “of.” You conduct an “investigation into a crime” or an “investigation of the incident.” “Into” often implies delving deeper into a subject, while “of” can be more general. You might also see “by” to indicate who is performing the investigation (e.g., “an investigation by the police”).
What’s the difference between a “thorough” and an “extensive” investigation?
A “thorough investigation” emphasizes depth and attention to detail, meaning every aspect is carefully examined. An “extensive investigation” highlights the broad scope or wide range of areas covered. Both suggest a comprehensive inquiry, but “thorough” focuses on detail, while “extensive” focuses on breadth.
Is “preliminary investigation” the same as “ongoing investigation”?
No, they refer to different stages. A “preliminary investigation” is the initial inquiry to gather basic facts and decide if a full investigation is warranted. An “ongoing investigation” means the investigation, whether preliminary or full, is currently in progress. You can have an ongoing preliminary investigation, or an ongoing full investigation.
The article says, 'Mastering collocations isn't just about memorizing words; it's about unlocking the natural rhythm and fluency of English.' This sentence really resonated with me. It's exactly what I'm aiming for!
This was incredibly clear and useful. What about other complex nouns? Like, 'decision' or 'solution'? I often struggle with the verbs that go with them too. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Juan! We appreciate your kind words. Your suggestion for 'decision' and 'solution' is fantastic! These are indeed common nouns that frequently pose collocation challenges for learners. We'll add them to our list of potential future topics. Knowing which verbs to use – like 'make a decision,' 'reach a decision,' 'come to a solution,' 'find a solution' – is crucial for natural English. Great thinking!
Could you provide more examples for 'initiate an investigation'? I'm trying to understand situations where it's preferred over 'launch' or 'open'.
Certainly, Kimberly! 'Initiate an investigation' often suggests that something *caused* or *prompted* the start of the inquiry. For instance: 'New evidence compelled the prosecutor to initiate a fresh investigation.' or 'The whistleblower's report initiated a federal investigation into the company's practices.' It implies a trigger or starting impulse more strongly than simply 'launching' or 'opening' might. Hope this clarifies!
The intro perfectly explains why collocations matter: 'natural rhythm and fluency.' It's not just about being grammatically correct, but sounding natural. This article really delivers on that promise.
Are there any significant differences in these collocations between US and UK English? Sometimes I find small variations in formal language, and I'm curious if this applies here.
Another excellent and insightful question, Liam! For the core collocations like 'conduct an investigation,' 'launch an investigation,' 'open an investigation,' and 'initiate an investigation,' there's generally very little difference in usage or preference between US and UK English. These are standard formal expressions across both major variants. Occasionally, you might find slightly different nuances in very specific legal or journalistic jargon, but for general use, you're safe with these across the board!
I often mix up 'initiate' and 'instigate.' This article, by focusing on 'initiate' with 'investigation,' really helps clarify one common use. Thanks for breaking it down!
This article focuses on starting/carrying out an investigation. What about verbs for *concluding* an investigation? For example, 'wrap up an investigation' or 'close an investigation'? Are there specific collocations for that too?
That's a brilliant follow-up question, Nikolai, and absolutely relevant! Yes, there are indeed specific collocations for concluding an investigation. Common ones include 'conclude an investigation,' 'close an investigation,' 'terminate an investigation,' or informally, 'wrap up an investigation.' These verbs indicate bringing the inquiry to an end, often with findings or a resolution. We'll keep this in mind for future content!
I used to hesitate so much when talking about investigations, worried I'd sound unnatural. This guide has given me so much more confidence. Now I know exactly which verbs to pick!
Could 'undertake an investigation' also be used in place of 'conduct an investigation'? Or is there a slight difference in meaning/formality?
Great question, Ahmed! Yes, 'undertake an investigation' is absolutely a valid and common collocation, very similar in meaning and formality to 'conduct an investigation.' Both imply initiating and carrying out a formal inquiry. 'Undertake' often emphasizes the acceptance of responsibility for the task. It's an excellent synonym to add to your vocabulary!
Wow! I've been studying English for a year, and this is the first time I've really understood collocations. It's like a secret code to sounding more fluent! Thank you!