Phrasal verbs · Free lesson
Look into a problem: ask someone to investigate
“I’ll look into it” is a promise to investigate. It does not mean the problem has already been fixed.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
look into
To investigate: examine the facts about a problem or situation.
Example
“Could you look into this duplicate charge?”
Could you check what happened and find out why I was charged twice?
The short answer
To look into a problem is to investigate it. “I’ll look into it” promises to examine what happened; it does not mean the problem is already fixed.
Ask for an investigation, not an assumed result.
Use look into when someone needs to examine a problem or find out more about a situation. Put the problem after into: look into the charge. If you already named the problem, you can refer to it with it: look into it. A reply such as “I’ll look into it” says the person will investigate. You still need a later update to know what they found.
A problem and a useful reply.
The total on my invoice looks wrong. Could you look into it?
Yes. I’ll look into the charge and contact you tomorrow.
It refers to the problem with the charge. The reply commits to examining it and giving an update; it does not promise a refund.
Make a clear request
Name the problem
There is a duplicate charge on my invoice.
Ask for an investigation
Could you look into it?
Give the detail they need
If they ask for an order number, answer that question so they can check.
Try it now
Check what you’ve learned.
Read all answers and explanations
I’ll look into the missing payment. What is promised?
An investigation.The speaker will examine the problem; the result is not guaranteed.
Choose the word order.
Could you look into it?The object it follows into.
Which problem fits a request to look into it?
A charge that seems incorrect.An unexplained charge is something a person can investigate.
Put it into practice
Get the problem investigated.
Your delivery order shows the same charge twice. Request an investigation, then provide the order number: 482.
- Support
Hello. How can I help with your order?
See a model answer
- Support
Hello. How can I help with your order?
- You
There’s a duplicate charge. Could you look into it?
- Support
Of course. What’s your order number?
- You
The order number is 482.
- Support
Thank you. I’ll check the charge on order 482.
Look into introduces an investigation request. Giving the order number helps support begin that investigation; it is not evidence that a refund has been approved.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Does “look into” mean solve?
No. It means investigate. The investigation may lead to a solution, but the expression does not promise that the solution has already been found.
“We’re looking into the delay.” The cause may still be unknown.
Is it “look into it” or “look it into”?
Use look into it for the investigation meaning. Keep the expression together and place the object after into.
“I’ll look into the problem.” → “I’ll look into it.”
Take it into your day
Think of a small problem someone could investigate. State the problem, then ask “Could you look into it?”
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