Examine closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Examine closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to look at something in detail or with great attention. Example: "To understand the nuances of the painting, you must examine closely the brush strokes and color choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is a subject which we are going to examine closely in the book.

The Guardian

It would do well to examine closely any allegations of gaming ratings agency models.

The New York Times

The Conservatives said they would "examine closely" the flexible working proposal, including a right to granny leave.

The Guardian

But I still hear the useful phrasal verb to snake-check, which many veterans know means "to examine closely".

The New York Times - Magazine

That is something for our politicians to examine closely and put right.

Independent

"Personal issues were weighing on me that I needed to examine closely," she said.

The New York Times

"Common thread is the word 'progressive,'" according to a lookout list that showed employees which applications to examine closely.

The New York Times

There were also widespread calls for the United States to examine closely what inspires fringe elements to undertake such diabolical acts against American targets.

The New York Times

If the vehicle is too dirty to examine closely, write this on the form and again get it signed by the staff.

The Guardian - Money

When he died, his Westbeth apartment was littered with negatives and work prints, as well as piles of film cans that Mark couldn't bear to examine closely.

The New York Times - Arts

Most of the collection is accessible, so even objects that are not on display can be readily brought to seminar rooms for students to examine closely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Examine closely", ensure the context clarifies what is being examined and why. This adds precision and purpose to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "Examine closely" when a simpler verb like 'see' or 'look at' would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Examine closely" functions as a verb phrase, where 'examine' is the main verb and 'closely' is an adverb modifying it. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe the act of inspecting something with great attention to detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Examine closely" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey the need for detailed scrutiny or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. The phrase is most common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Alternative phrases include "investigate thoroughly" and "scrutinize carefully". When using "Examine closely", it is essential to provide clear context and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Investigate thoroughly

Emphasizes a complete and exhaustive investigation.

Scrutinize carefully

Highlights the need for careful and critical observation.

Analyze meticulously

Focuses on a detailed and precise analysis.

Inspect in detail

Stresses a detailed inspection process.

Look into deeply

Suggests a profound and thorough exploration.

Assess rigorously

Implies a strict and thorough assessment.

Probe extensively

Indicates a widespread and in-depth probing.

Study attentively

Highlights the need for focused and careful study.

Review comprehensively

Implies a complete and broad review.

Check methodically

Emphasizes a systematic and orderly checking process.

FAQs

How can I use "Examine closely" in a sentence?

You can use "Examine closely" to indicate a detailed investigation or inspection. For example, "The scientists decided to examine closely the effects of the new drug".

What are some alternatives to "Examine closely"?

Alternatives include "scrutinize carefully", "investigate thoroughly", or "analyze meticulously", depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "Examine closely"?

"Examine closely" is suitable in formal contexts such as academic writing, scientific reports, or professional documents where detailed analysis is required.

What is the difference between "Examine closely" and "look at"?

"Examine closely" implies a more thorough and detailed investigation than simply "look at". The former suggests a deliberate effort to understand the nuances of something, while the latter is a more general observation.