What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
investigation
Example
The police conducted an investigation into the robbery. [investigation: noun]
Example
We need to conduct a thorough investigation into the company's financial records. [investigation: noun]
scrutiny
Example
The proposal is under scrutiny by the board of directors. [scrutiny: noun]
Example
The report was subjected to close scrutiny by the committee. [scrutiny: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Investigation is more commonly used than scrutiny in legal and law enforcement contexts, while scrutiny is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between investigation and scrutiny?
Investigation is generally considered more formal than scrutiny, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
