Look Into – Meaning and Examples
If you have a problem at work or a question that needs an answer, what do you ask someone to do? In English, when someone agrees to investigate or find more details about an issue, they say they will look into it. This is a very professional and polite phrasal verb, perfect for formal or serious conversations. Let’s learn how to use look into to talk about investigation and research!
What Does “Look Into” Mean?
“Look into” means to investigate, examine, or research a situation, problem, or topic to find facts or a solution. It implies a detailed and careful study of the subject. Think of a detective shining a flashlight into a dark room. They are searching for clues. When you look into a problem, you are shining a light on it to find the truth. The phrase is used figuratively to describe intellectual examination, not physical looking.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in neutral or formal situations where you need to promise or request an investigation:
- Customer Service: When a company promises to examine a complaint.
- Work/Projects: When a manager assigns someone to find the cause of an error.
- Personal Research: When you decide to learn more about a complicated topic.
This phrase is neutral to slightly formal and shows a willingness to address a problem seriously.
Example Sentences
- I will look into why your payment did not go through and call you back.
- The manager promised to look into the reports of missing equipment.
- We need to look into alternative software options for our new system.
- Before we buy the house, we must look into the condition of the roof.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “I think the new printer is making a strange noise.” Jamie: “That’s worrying. I’ll **look into** the technical specifications right away.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not use “look into” when you mean “look at” (to observe quickly) or “look for” (to search for a physical object).
“Look into” always implies a deeper investigation.
❌ Don’t say: “Can you look into my lost keys?” (Use “look for” instead.)
✅ Do say: “Can you look into the reason why the keys were lost?” (Correct use to investigate a cause.)
Practice Tip
When your friend has a question you can’t answer immediately, offer this polite response: “That’s a good point! Let me look into that for you and tell you tomorrow.”Final Note
Excellent! You now know how to use **look into** to promise investigation or research. This phrase will make you sound very competent and helpful. Keep using this phrase whenever you need to examine a situation. Now you’re ready to use it like a native speaker!