What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inspect
Example
The mechanic inspected the car before giving it back to the owner. [inspected: past tense]
Example
The inspector carefully inspected the building for any safety hazards. [inspected: verb]
investigate
Example
The police are investigating the crime scene to find any leads. [investigating: present participle]
Example
The company hired a team of experts to investigate the cause of the system failure. [investigate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inspect is more commonly used than investigate in everyday language. Inspect is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while investigate is more specific and often associated with official or legal inquiries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inspect and investigate?
Investigate is typically associated with a more formal or serious tone, while inspect can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
