ENGLISH
REFERENCE

investigations

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnˌvɛstəˈɡeɪʃənz// UK //ɪnvˌɛstɪɡˈeɪʃənz// in·ves·ti·ga·tions

n. careful and organized searches for facts or the truth about something. You often hear this word when police or scientists are looking for answers.

n. systematic examinations or formal inquiries into a subject, event, or crime to establish facts. Often used in legal, scientific, or journalistic contexts to describe the process of gathering evidence.


SIMPLE

The police started several investigations into the theft.

CONTEXTUAL

After the chemical spill, the government launched multiple investigations to determine if safety laws were broken.

COMPLEX

Preliminary investigations suggest that the structural failure resulted from a combination of substandard materials and extreme weather conditions, though a full report is pending.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used with the verbs 'conduct', 'launch', or 'carry out'.

Pitfall

The police is doing investigationsThe police are carrying out investigationsLearners often use 'do' instead of the more natural collocations 'conduct' or 'carry out' when referring to formal inquiries.

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