What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
investigate
Example
The police are investigating the robbery that occurred last night. [investigating: present participle]
Example
The journalist decided to investigate the corruption scandal further. [investigate: verb]
probe
Example
The doctor used a probe to examine the patient's ear. [probe: noun]
Example
The detective decided to probe deeper into the suspect's alibi. [probing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Investigate is more commonly used than probe in everyday language. Investigate is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while probe is more specific and may be less familiar to some ESL learners.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between investigate and probe?
Investigate is generally considered more formal than probe. While probe can be used in both formal and informal contexts, investigate is often associated with more serious or professional investigations, such as criminal investigations or scientific research.
