verb phrase · formal
launch an investigation
UK/lɔːntʃ ən ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/US/lɔntʃ æn ɪnˌvɛstəˈɡeɪʃən/launch an in·VES·ti·GA·tion
to start a formal inquiry into an event or allegation
Examples
“The council launched an investigation into the building fire.”
“Police launched an investigation after new evidence emerged.”
“The company immediately launched an investigation into the allegations.”
Band 8 sentence
“After allegations of malpractice surfaced, the university launched an investigation to determine whether academic rules had been breached.”
Collocations
- launch an internal investigation
- launch an independent investigation
Word family
Common mistakes
open the investigation→launch an investigation
investigate about→investigate
Say it for a higher band
5look into→6investigate→7+launch an investigation
Synonyms
open an inquiry
Easily confused
open an inquiry
“Following the scandal, MPs called for ministers to open an inquiry.”
Related words
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In Crime & Law
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