Phrasal verb
Look into
What does 'look into' mean?
'Look into' means investigate or examine the facts about a problem, complaint, situation, or possibility before deciding what to do. For example: 'The manager will look into the delayed delivery.' Keep 'look into' together, put pronouns after 'into', and use an '-ing' form for possible actions, such as 'look into extending'.
Key points
- 'Look into' describes a genuine investigation, not an immediate solution.
- This phrasal verb is inseparable.
- Put nouns and pronouns directly after 'into'.
- Use an '-ing' form for possible future actions.
Can you use "Look into" yourself?
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.
The full explanation
'Look into' means to investigate, examine, or check facts about a problem, situation, or possibility before deciding what to do.
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
-
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
Learners familiar with separable phrasal verbs often put pronouns like 'it', 'them', or 'this' between the two parts of the verb. With 'look into', you must avoid that reflex. The pronoun must stay immediately after 'into'. In spoken workplace English, 'I will look into it' is one of the most common set responses to an unexpected question. The preposition and pronoun link smoothly, with the final consonant of 'into' flowing into the vowel sound of 'it'.
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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.
-
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' appear in office discussions, but they convey different commitments. 'Look at' can mean directing your visual attention toward something or considering a proposal on a surface level. In contrast, 'look into' communicates an active, thorough investigation. If a coworker asks you to 'look at' a draft, they want a quick review or feedback. If they ask you to 'look into' a missing shipment, they expect you to track data and solve an underlying puzzle.
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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.
-
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'.
-
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.
-
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.
Other meanings of "look into"
This lesson practises one meaning. You may also hear these.
Examine or explore a possible future action.
They are looking into reducing delivery times.
Look inside something.
She looked into the empty cupboard.
Common mistakes with "look into"
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
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Not this:
I will look it into tomorrow.Say: I will look into it tomorrow.
'Look into' is inseparable, so the pronoun must follow 'into'.
-
Not this:
The team looked the complaint into carefully.Say: The team looked into the complaint carefully.
Do not place a noun between 'look' and 'into'.
-
Not this:
We will look into to changing suppliers.Say: We will look into changing suppliers.
A verb after the preposition 'into' takes the '-ing' form.
-
Not this:
The board looked into expand the service.Say: The board looked into expanding the service.
Possible actions after 'look into' require an '-ing' form.
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' often means viewing something with your eyes or briefly thinking about a topic. In contrast, 'look into' implies a deeper check or systematic investigation to find facts, discover causes, or solve an issue. If you say 'I will look into the error', you promise genuine research, not just a casual glance.
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
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- 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.
Read the transcript
Our team will look into it right away.
'Look into it' keeps the pronoun after the preposition to express a commitment to check the facts immediately.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "righ-taway": the final t in "right" connects to "away".
- listen for "i(t) right": the t in "it" may be hard to hear before "right".
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "righ-taway": the final t in "right" connects to "away".
- listen for "i(t) right": the t in "it" may be hard to hear before "right".
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "righ-taway": the final t in "right" connects to "away".
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- 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.
Read the transcript
Please look into each invoice today.
The noun phrase 'each invoice' follows 'into' directly because the phrasal verb is inseparable.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "loo-kinto": the final k in "look" connects to "into".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "loo-kinto": the final k in "look" connects to "into".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "loo-kinto": the final k in "look" connects to "into".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- 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.
Read the transcript
A customer reported an unexpected charge yesterday, so our manager will look into our system before sending an explanation.
'Look into our system' shows an internal fact check before the company contacts the customer.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "a-nunexpected": the n in "an" connects to the start of "unexpected".
- listen for "loo-kinto": the k connects "look" to "into".
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "a-nunexpected": the n in "an" connects to the start of "unexpected".
- listen for "loo-kinto": the k connects "look" to "into".
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "a-nunexpected": the n in "an" connects to the start of "unexpected".
- listen for "loo-kinto": the k connects "look" to "into".
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
- 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.
Read the transcript
When tenants mentioned cold water in block C, Marcus promised he would look into our heating equipment personally. He spoke with an engineer during lunch, checked several pipes across each basement room, then discovered an old valve problem. A repair technician will arrive tomorrow morning.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "loo-kinto": the final k in "look" connects smoothly to "into".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "loo-kinto": the final k in "look" connects smoothly to "into".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "loo-kinto": the final k in "look" connects smoothly to "into".
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
Say it with the speaker, then use it in your own answer.
Shadow
Say it along with the speaker
Our team will look into it right away.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
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
Think for ten seconds, then answer out loud for as long as the task above asks, without looking at the lesson. Nothing is sent unless you ask for feedback.
0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
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.
Try once more and answer this: Who could help you find out what happens on weekends?
Stage 4 of 5
Write
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Write
Put it in your own words
- I used “look into”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
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