investigate

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To look carefully into something, such as a crime or problem, to find out the facts.

   Grammar: Usually takes an object: investigate the fire; sometimes used alone: they will investigate.

   Patterns

   • investigate something
   • investigate whether something
   • investigate how

   Police are investigating the burglary.

   The doctor investigated the cause of her headaches.

   Reporters investigated whether the company had lied.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To study a subject in detail to learn more about it.

   Grammar: Takes an object: investigate a theory.

   Patterns

   • investigate something

   Scientists are investigating the effects of sleep.

   She investigated several universities before applying.

   The class investigated local water quality.

Word forms

Common combinations

investigate a claim

Officials will investigate the claim.

investigate a crime

Detectives investigate a crime.

thoroughly investigate

The board will thoroughly investigate.

investigate the cause

Engineers are investigating the cause of the crash.

investigate further

We need to investigate further.

Synonyms and how they differ

probe

Probe suggests a deep, often official search for hidden facts.

examine

Examine means to look at closely, not necessarily to uncover wrongdoing.

look into

Look into is the informal phrasal form of the same idea.

explore

Explore is open-ended study without a specific problem.

Opposites

Word family

investigation noun

an official inquiry or study

investigator noun

a person who investigates

investigative adjective

relating to investigating

Commonly confused: investigate or invest?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “investigate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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