investigate
gb/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt/ us/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Examine to find facts or truth
To try to find out the truth or facts about something by looking at it carefully.
Usage pattern:
to investigate [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'investigate' with 'research'. 'Investigate' is often used for specific events, problems, or cases, while 'research' is broader and often academic.
Synonyms
examine (Suggests looking at something closely, but not always with the aim of uncovering hidden facts.)
|
probe (Implies a deeper or more thorough investigation, often into sensitive matters.)
|
look into (More informal and general; can be used in everyday situations.)
Antonyms
ignore (Means to deliberately pay no attention to something, the opposite of investigating.)
|
overlook (Means to miss noticing something, rather than actively seeking it out.)
Collocations
investigate a crime
|investigate a complaint
|investigate the cause
|investigate the matter
|investigate further
Themes
law
|science
|journalism
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The police are investigating the robbery that happened last night.
- Scientists are investigating the effects of the new drug.
- The company is investigating complaints from its customers.
- We need to investigate why sales have dropped this month.
- Journalists are investigating allegations of corruption in the government.
Learner examples
- The police will investigate the case.
- I want to investigate the problem.
- They will investigate the noise.
- We should investigate this idea.
- The teacher will investigate what happened.
Grammar
Dictionary form
investigate
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt/
US/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
in - vest - ig - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vest)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: investigate
- 3rd Person Singular: investigates
- Present Participle: investigating
- Past: investigated
Word family
Forms
investigates
verb
investigating
verb
investigated
verb
Core family
Advanced or less common
investigatory
adjective
Expressions
investigate a crime
1/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt ə kɹˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
Look into details of a crime
To try to find out who did a crime and how it happened.
Examples
- The police are investigating a crime that took place downtown.
- Detectives were called in to investigate the crime scene.
investigate further
1/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt fˈɚðɚ/
fixed phrase
Look into more deeply
To keep checking something to get more details or facts.
Examples
- We need to investigate further before making a decision.
- The committee decided to investigate further into the matter.
investigate the matter
1/ɪnvˈɛstəɡˌeɪt ðə mˈætɚ/
fixed phrase
Look into an issue carefully
To try to find out more about a problem or situation.
Examples
- We will investigate the matter and get back to you.
- The board promised to investigate the matter thoroughly.