What is investigation? Pronunciation and usage in English

investigation means . Learn how to pronounce and use investigation through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of investigation

investigationnoun

/ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of investigation

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "investigation" in English. It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown:

Here's the best way to say it:

  • /ɪnˈvestɪɡeɪʃən/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. in - pronounced like the "in" in "in"
  2. vest - pronounced like "vest" (as in the clothing) – this is often the trickiest part! Make sure it's clear and not mumbled.
  3. ig - pronounced like "ig" (as in "pig")
  4. a - pronounced like "a" (as in "apple")
  5. tion - pronounced like "shun" (rhymes with "sun")

Putting it all together, it sounds like: "In-VES-ti-GAY-shun"

Tips for pronunciation:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the third syllable: "VES."
  • "vest" is key: Really focus on saying "vest" clearly. Don't let it sound like "in-test."
  • "ig" as in "pig": This is a common mistake.

Resources for hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Practice some sentences with "investigation"?
  • Focus on a particular part of the word you're struggling with?

Usage and examples with the word investigation in English

Let's break down how to use the word "investigation" in English. It's a versatile word with a few related meanings.

1. As a Noun (The most common use):

  • Definition: An investigation is a systematic and formal inquiry into a matter, typically to discover facts and solve a problem. It's essentially a detailed examination.

  • Examples:

    • "The police are conducting an investigation into the robbery." (They’re looking into the details of the crime.)
    • "A full investigation of the company's finances is needed." (A thorough examination of the finances is required.)
    • "The journalist launched an investigation into allegations of corruption." (The journalist is researching the claims.)
    • "She’s leading an investigation into why the project failed." (She's trying to find out what went wrong.)

2. As a Verb (Less common, but important):

  • Definition: To investigate means to carry out an investigation.

  • Examples:

    • "The company will investigate the report before taking action." (They will conduct an investigation of the report.)
    • "Scientists are investigating the causes of climate change." (Scientists are researching the causes.)
    • “The lawyer began to investigate the client’s alibi.” (The lawyer started looking into the alibi.)

Here’s a breakdown of different contexts and nuances:

  • Formal Investigations: Usually used by police, government agencies, or large corporations. These are often lengthy and involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing data.
  • Informal Investigations: Can be used in everyday situations – figuring out why something happened, diagnosing a problem, or simply trying to understand a situation. Example: "Let’s investigate this strange noise we're hearing."

Phrases & Related Words:

  • Criminal investigation: Specifically related to crimes.
  • Police investigation: Investigation conducted by the police.
  • Internal investigation: An investigation conducted within an organization (like a company).
  • Preliminary investigation: An initial, often less formal, investigation.
  • Deep dive investigation: A very thorough investigation.
  • Investigative journalist: A journalist who conducts investigations.
  • To uncover: To reveal something through an investigation (e.g., "The investigation uncovered evidence of fraud.")

Tips for Using "Investigation" Correctly:

  • Be Specific: Try to be clear about what is being investigated. (e.g., "The investigation into the accident," “The investigation into the missing funds.”)
  • Use Strong Verbs: Words like "examine," "study," "research," and "analyze" often work well with “investigation.”

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "investigation" in a specific context (e.g., business, science, crime)?
  • Explain the difference between "investigation" and related words like "research" or "study"?
  • Provide some sentences to practice using "investigation"?

Synonyms for the word investigation

Practice with vocabulary investigation

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company launched an internal _________ into the recent security breach.
  2. Her meticulous _________ of the historical documents revealed previously unknown facts.
  3. Following the sudden power outage, a full-scale technical _________ was initiated to determine the cause.
  4. The consultant's report provided a detailed _________ of the proposed project's feasibility.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms refers to a formal, systematic search for facts and truth, often in the context of a crime, accident, or complex issue? a) conjecture b) speculation c) investigation d) hypothesis

  2. The recent security breach prompted an immediate _________ into the network vulnerabilities. a) inquiry b) exploration c) investigation d) survey

  3. The special committee launched a comprehensive _________ into the allegations of financial fraud. a) probe b) research c) investigation d) assessment

  4. The financial department is conducting a quarterly _________ of all expense reports. a) audit b) review c) inspection d) examination

  5. Before launching the new product, the team conducted extensive market _________ to understand customer needs. a) analysis b) survey c) research d) speculation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The police are trying to find out what happened at the scene of the crime. (Use "investigation")
  2. We need to carefully look into the root causes of the recurring system failures. (Use a form of "investigation")
  3. The scientific team will look closely at the data to understand the results. (Do not use "investigation")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. investigation
  2. analysis
  3. investigation
  4. assessment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) investigation
  2. a) inquiry, c) investigation
  3. a) probe, c) investigation
  4. a) audit, b) review, d) examination
  5. a) analysis, b) survey, c) research

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The police have launched an investigation into what happened at the scene of the crime.
  2. We need to investigate the root causes of the recurring system failures.
  3. The scientific team will analyze the data to understand the results.

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