Cool MateInvestigate vs Look into that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Investigate
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Look into that
Top 2,000 (common)
| Investigate | Look into that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪt/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪts/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪt/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪts/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪd/","/ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lʊk ˈɪntuː ðæt//🇺🇸 //lʊk ˈɪntu ðæt// |
| Meaning | To look into something closely to find out more information. | Check or investigate that. |
| Example | The police will investigate the crime scene for new evidence. | Can you look into that problem we discussed earlier? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | carefully, closely, in detail, ask somebody to, be called in to, decide to, for, carefully, closely, in detail, ask somebody to, be called in to, decide to, for | look into details, look into options, look into issues, look into solutions, look into reports |
| Antonyms | ignore, overlook, disregard | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'invest' which relates to money or resources., Using as an intransitive verb; it requires an object (e.g., 'investigate the issue')., Mixing up with synonyms like 'examine' without understanding the context. | Confused with 'look over' which implies a quick examination., Using 'look into that' when discussing physical objects rather than abstract issues., Incorrectly implying a casual mindset when suggesting research. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in formal contexts, especially in journalism, research, or law enforcement. It may not be seen as appropriate in casual conversations. | Used in both spoken and written English to suggest examining something. It's generally polite and appropriate in various contexts, but may sound informal in a very formal setting. |
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Frequently asked questions: Investigate vs Look into that
What's the difference between Investigate and Look into that?
Investigate: To look into something closely to find out more information. Look into that: Check or investigate that.
Can you show an example of each?
Investigate: The police will investigate the crime scene for new evidence. Look into that: Can you look into that problem we discussed earlier?
Can I use Investigate and Look into that interchangeably?
Not always. Investigate and Look into that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.