An examination of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "An examination of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when introducing a discussion or analysis of a specific topic or subject. Example: "An examination of the effects of climate change reveals significant challenges." Alternative expressions include "A study of," "An analysis of," and "A review of."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An examination of—? (You are speaking without irony. The threat of migraine vanishes all irony).

Vice

An examination of my coat.

The New Yorker

An examination of youth versus experience.

Harvard Business Review

An examination of this phenomenon is overdue.

The New York Times - Arts

An examination of the Tonga subduction zone.

Nature

An examination of human rights and foreign direct investment.

Nature

An examination of various platforms could only be healthy.

The Guardian - Sport

An examination of modern motherhood and "the age of anxiety".

The New York Times

An examination of how conservatives "won the heart of America".

The New York Times

An examination of the Hofer and Sliwinski evaluation.

Nature

An examination of Shanghai is planned for next year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the noun following 'of' is specific enough to maintain the analytical weight of the phrase

Common error

Avoid using 'an examination on' when referring to a subject of study. While 'a book on' is correct, the noun 'examination' strictly requires the preposition 'of' in formal English to denote the object being analyzed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "An examination of" functions as a complex noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or the complement of a sentence. In Ludwig, it is often seen introducing the primary scope of a research project or a journalistic investigation, providing a clear boundary for the discussion that follows.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

45%

Science

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the comprehensive data provided by Ludwig, "An examination of" is a quintessential phrase for high-level writing. It is used with near-perfect consistency across Academic, Scientific and Professional domains. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically flawless and highly effective for signaling a deep dive into a subject. Whether used in a title to define the scope of a paper or in the body of an article to introduce a new line of inquiry, it maintains a tone of authority and objectivity. Writers should feel confident using it to replace more casual verbs like 'looking at' when they wish to elevate the perceived rigor of their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A study of

More common in general academic research and slightly broader in scope

An analysis of

Focuses more on the breakdown of components rather than general observation

An investigation into

Suggests a more rigorous or possibly forensic search for facts

An inquiry into

Often used in legal or official government contexts

An assessment of

Focuses on determining value, quality or significance

A review of

Implies looking back at existing material or periodic assessment

An exploration of

Suggests a more preliminary or broad survey of a new topic

A scrutiny of

Emphasizes a very critical and close observation

A breakdown of

Much more informal and used to describe detailed lists or stats

A probe into

More journalistic and often implies uncovering hidden information

FAQs

How to use "An examination of" in a sentence?

You can use it to start an analysis, for example: "An examination of" the data suggests a correlation. Ludwig AI shows it is frequently used in scientific abstracts and news headlines.

What can I say instead of "An examination of"?

Depending on your context, you can use "a study of", "an analysis of" or "an inquiry into".

Is "An examination of" too formal for an email?

In a professional setting it is appropriate, but for a casual email, you might prefer "looking at" or "checking out".

Which is correct: 'examination of' or 'examination about'?

The standard and correct form is "an examination of". Using 'about' is considered non-standard in formal writing.