investigate
verb (used with object)
to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.
were investigating
-
past progressiveof investigate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That result led the researchers toward indigo light, which is capable of passing through the lens while still activating the biological pathway they were investigating.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026
The blaze comes just 24 hours after police confirmed they were investigating a car crash into a house in the suburb of Eaglesham, south of Glasgow.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
It became public recently that federal officials were investigating his business empire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
Australia's transport authorities said Friday they were investigating what went wrong after three near-misses in less than two weeks at Sydney Airport, including two in one day.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
George began to explain that they were investigating the mystery of Buttons's visits to town.
From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene
