Phrasal verb
Look into
Can I separate 'look' and 'into' by putting the object between them?
'Look into' means to investigate, examine, or check facts about a problem, situation, or possibility before deciding what to do.
Key points
- Use 'look into' to describe checking facts or exploring options.
- Keep the phrase inseparable, place pronouns after 'into', use gerunds for possible actions, and report your findings clearly once the investigation ends.
- 'Look into' is an inseparable phrasal verb.
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
Examples
Our support specialist will look into the billing discrepancy and reply by noon.
Why it works: The specialist promises to check financial records before providing an answer.
2 more examples
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The school committee is looking into adding an extra bus route next term.
The committee investigates the feasibility of a possible future action using a gerund.
-
When a client complained about damaged packaging, the warehouse manager looked into it immediately.
The pronoun follows the complete inseparable phrasal verb.
Read the full guide
Deciding When to Investigate Facts Before Answering
When someone asks you to fix an unexpected error or explain a sudden delay, you rarely possess all the necessary facts right away. Saying that you will look into the matter allows you to acknowledge the problem politely without guessing. The expression means examining evidence, checking background records, or finding the root cause before taking action. It gives you time to gather verified information while reassuring the other person that their concern receives serious attention.
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A customer reported a duplicate invoice, so I promised to look into the transaction.
Why it works: The speaker promises investigation rather than an immediate refund before checking records.
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The technician is looking into why the internet connection dropped three times this morning.
Why it works: The technician actively checks equipment and cables to find the underlying cause.
Your turn
What do you promise someone when you say 'I will look into your request'?
Answer: You promise to examine the facts and evaluate the situation before deciding.
Show the answer
Answer: You promise to examine the facts and evaluate the situation before deciding.
Using 'look into' commits the speaker to checking facts and reviewing records, not to granting instant approval.
Keeping the Phrasal Verb Inseparable
English phrasal verbs divide into separable and inseparable groups. 'Look into' belongs strictly to the inseparable group, which means you cannot place a noun phrase between the verb and the preposition. Whether the object is short, long, or complex, it must follow 'into' directly. Splitting the phrase creates an unnatural sentence that confuses listeners. Remembering this pattern helps you produce clear and grammatically sound sentences during professional conversations.
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Our compliance officer will look into the safety report before Friday.
Why it works: The noun phrase 'the safety report' sits directly after the complete phrasal verb.
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Management looked into several office complaints regarding building temperatures.
Why it works: Even a long noun phrase stays after 'into' without separating the verb.
This also comes up in Live with and Look forward to.
Your turn
Which sentence shows the correct word order for this inseparable phrasal verb?
Answer: The auditor looked into the missing payment yesterday.
Show the answer
Answer: The auditor looked into the missing payment yesterday.
Because 'look into' is inseparable, the entire noun phrase 'the missing payment' must follow 'into'.
Placing Pronouns Directly After the Preposition
With 'look into', place the object after 'into'. This applies to nouns and pronouns such as 'it', 'them', or 'this'. 'I will look into it' is a useful response when you plan to investigate a question. Into ends in a vowel, which connects to the vowel at the start of it in connected speech.
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When the client mentioned the shipping discrepancy, I said I would look into it.
Why it works: The pronoun 'it' stands after 'into', creating the natural conversational phrase.
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Several files were misplaced, and the project lead agreed to look into them.
Why it works: The plural pronoun 'them' follows 'into' without splitting the verb.
Your turn
How should you answer a colleague who asks about an unresolved scheduling error?
Answer: I noticed the scheduling issue and will look into it right now.
Show the answer
Answer: I noticed the scheduling issue and will look into it right now.
Object pronouns must always follow 'into'. Placing 'it' between 'look' and 'into' violates English grammar.
Using Gerunds to Examine Possible Future Actions
Beyond checking past errors or existing complaints, 'look into' frequently introduces a potential future action that a person or company evaluates. Because 'into' functions as a preposition, any action verb that follows must appear in the gerund form ending in '-ing'. Using an infinitive verb like 'to open' or a base verb like 'open' after 'into' is an ungrammatical combination that distracts listeners from your message.
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Our marketing department is looking into expanding our social media campaigns.
Why it works: The gerund 'expanding' acts as the object of the preposition 'into'.
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The school board agreed to look into purchasing new laboratory computers.
Why it works: The gerund 'purchasing' describes the possible future investment under evaluation.
Your turn
Which option correctly describes an investigation of a possible new service?
Answer: Our company plans to look into offering weekend home deliveries.
Show the answer
Answer: Our company plans to look into offering weekend home deliveries.
Prepositions require a following verb to take the '-ing' gerund form, making 'offering' correct.
Choosing Between Looking At and Looking Into
Both 'look at' and 'look into' can describe checking something. 'Look at' can mean directing your eyes toward it, reviewing it, or considering it carefully. 'Look into' specifically means investigating a problem or possibility. If a coworker asks you to 'look at' a draft, the request alone does not tell you how detailed the review should be. Asking you to 'look into' a missing shipment asks you to find out what happened.
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Please look at the attached spreadsheet before our afternoon conference call.
Why it works: The speaker asks the colleague to inspect or review the document visually.
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Please look into why the total on the attached spreadsheet does not balance.
Why it works: The speaker asks the colleague to investigate the source of the calculation error.
Your turn
A client reports that recurring software fees appeared twice on their bank statement. What should you tell them?
Answer: I will look into the double charge and review your account records.
Show the answer
Answer: I will look into the double charge and review your account records.
A billing error requires an active investigation of account data, making 'look into' the accurate choice.
Distinguishing Formal Investigation from Everyday Checking
The formal verb 'investigate' shares its definition with 'look into', but each fits a different social context. 'Investigate' carries an authoritative, official tone often associated with police inquiries, regulatory agencies, or legal proceedings. Using it for minor everyday issues can make routine situations sound alarmingly serious. 'Look into' delivers the same analytical meaning while maintaining a collaborative, professional tone suited for emails, team meetings, and regular customer service interactions.
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Federal authorities decided to investigate the accounting firm after the audit.
Why it works: The formal verb 'investigate' suits a legal or regulatory inquiry.
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Our office manager will look into the broken coffee machine this afternoon.
Why it works: The phrasal verb provides an appropriately calm tone for a routine workplace problem.
Your turn
Why is 'look into' generally preferred over 'investigate' when answering routine client emails?
Answer: It sounds professional and collaborative without sounding excessively legal or severe.
Show the answer
Answer: It sounds professional and collaborative without sounding excessively legal or severe.
'Look into' offers a balanced professional tone, whereas 'investigate' often implies an official legal or criminal inquiry.
Hearing Connected Speech and Past Tense Endings
In rapid natural conversation, native English speakers link words together rather than pausing between them. When someone says 'look into it', the final /k/ of 'look' links directly to the vowel in 'into', and the /uː/ sound glides into 'it'. In the past tense, 'looked into' features a /t/ sound that bridges straight to the vowel: /lʊkt ˈɪntuː/. Recognizing these linking patterns prevents you from mistaking 'looked into' for the present tense 'look into' during fast audio exchanges.
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The technician looked into our network router and replaced the faulty power cable.
Why it works: The past ending produces a crisp /t/ sound that connects directly to the initial vowel of 'into'.
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Whenever a query arrives, our reception desk looks into it immediately.
Why it works: The third-person singular ending /s/ connects smoothly to the vowel sound in 'into'.
Your turn
How does a speaker naturally connect 'looked into' in fluent spoken English?
Answer: The '-ed' ending makes a /t/ sound that links directly into the vowel of 'into'.
Show the answer
Answer: The '-ed' ending makes a /t/ sound that links directly into the vowel of 'into'.
In fluent speech, the regular past ending of 'look' is pronounced /t/ and links seamlessly to the vowel in 'into'.
Reporting Findings and Next Steps in Writing
Using 'look into' creates an expectation of follow-up communication. In professional correspondence, promising to investigate an issue requires you to report your findings once you complete your review. When closing the loop, writers often pair the past form 'looked into' with specific factual discoveries and concrete solutions. This two-step process demonstrates accountability: first you acknowledge and investigate, then you present the results and resolve the matter.
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I looked into the delivery discrepancy and found that the warehouse dispatched two separate boxes.
Why it works: The writer uses the past form to introduce the factual conclusion of their investigation.
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We looked into switching energy suppliers, but their long-term cancellation fees were too high.
Why it works: The sentence explains the investigative step and the practical reason for not proceeding.
Your turn
Which sentence best reports the completed outcome of an investigation to a team member?
Answer: I looked into the printer error and discovered that a worn roller was jamming the paper.
Show the answer
Answer: I looked into the printer error and discovered that a worn roller was jamming the paper.
Using 'looked into' in the past tense properly introduces the completed discovery and factual cause.
Use it naturally
How people really use “look into”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- look into the problemI'll look into the problem and call you tomorrow.
- look into a complaintThe manager needs to look into a complaint about the service.
- look into the possibilityWe should look into the possibility of adding another bus stop.
- look into itThanks for telling me about the mistake, and I'll look into it today.
What people also say
- “I'll look into it.” instead of “I will make an investigation of this matter.” This sounds natural when you promise to check a problem in everyday conversation.
Questions about "Look into"
Can I separate 'look' and 'into' by putting the object between them?
No, 'look into' is an inseparable phrasal verb. The preposition 'into' must stay directly next to 'look'. Even when you replace the noun with a pronoun such as 'it', 'them', or 'this', the pronoun always comes after 'into'. Never say 'I will look it into'.
The supervisor will look into the complaint tomorrow.
I heard about the system glitch and promised to look into it.
What is the difference between 'look into' and 'look at'?
'Look at' can mean viewing something, reviewing it, or considering it carefully. 'Look into' means investigating a problem, question, or possibility. Neither phrase tells you exactly how much time or detail the check involves. In 'I will look into the error', the speaker promises to investigate the error.
Look at this chart on page four.
Our technical team will look into the server crash.
What form of another verb should I use directly after 'look into'?
Because 'into' is a preposition, any action verb that follows it must take the gerund form ending in '-ing'. You cannot use a base infinitive with or without 'to'. For example, say 'look into hiring extra staff', not 'look into hire' or 'look into to hire'.
The company is looking into opening a branch in Boston.
We plan to look into replacing the warehouse software.
Does saying 'I will look into it' guarantee that the problem will be fixed?
No. 'Look into' commits only to finding facts and evaluating the situation. It does not promise that a fault exists, nor does it guarantee a specific solution or refund. It is a polite and professional way to acknowledge a question when you must verify information before making a final commitment.
I will look into your request, but I cannot promise an immediate discount.
Before you go
Remember this
Use 'look into' to describe checking facts or exploring options. Keep the phrase inseparable, place pronouns after 'into', use gerunds for possible actions, and report your findings clearly once the investigation ends.
Stage 2 of 5
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- The school committee is looking into adding an extra bus route next term.
- When a client complained about damaged packaging, the warehouse manager looked into it immediately.
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- The school committee is looking into adding an extra bus route next term.
- When a client complained about damaged packaging, the warehouse manager looked into it immediately.
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- The school committee is looking into adding an extra bus route next term.
- When a client complained about damaged packaging, the warehouse manager looked into it immediately.
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- The school committee is looking into adding an extra bus route next term.
- When a client complained about damaged packaging, the warehouse manager looked into it immediately.
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Speak for 30 to 60 seconds from memory. Your local park has trash around its picnic tables every weekend. Tell a neighbor how you will look into the problem, who you will talk to, and what facts you need before suggesting a solution.
Use: look into look into it
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I noticed a lot of trash around the picnic tables at our local park last Sunday. I want to look into the problem before asking the town to make changes. First, I'll visit on Saturday afternoon to see how busy it gets. I'll also check whether the trash cans are full. My neighbor uses the park often, so we can look into it together. We could talk to the workers who clean the area and ask about their schedule. Once we know more, we can suggest more trash cans or an extra weekend cleanup.
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