a careful check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a careful check" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an especially thorough examination of something. For example, "I performed a careful check of the finances to make sure everything was in order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

* Ask the seller to let you take the car to your own mechanic for a careful check.

The New York Times - Travel

Status report from Shea Stadium: a careful check of the names and numbers above the lockers in the home clubhouse yesterday revealed no "11 Larkin".

The New York Times - Sports

Unbeknown to us the police had already made a careful check of the terrain and worked out escape routes across the fields.

The Guardian - Books

The expressed purpose of the law is to make sure that a careful check is done to keep "national security" industries from passing into the hands of foreigners.

Harvard Business Review

Sando and Ny have done a fantastic job of breaking down and packing up the lab, so finally we tear down the kitchen, pack the tents wet, and then do a careful check and cleanup of the camp site.

The New York Times

There is a simple reason that Florida law, and the law in many other states, calls for a careful check by real people of the machine results in elections like this one.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Since May, however, conductors have begun demanding a more careful check of all riders as part of a fight against counterfeiting.

The New York Times

However, he also recommended that you should bang out the first words that came to mind, which rather rules out any careful checking with the Grammar Police.

Independent

A more careful checking of the performance of the DBM can be done by a comparison with the simpler ETAS model.

Earth, Planets and Space

It would be valuable if the authors could provide a more careful checking for genotype data in previously published studies.

British Journal of Cancer

Always perform a careful background check before you take a selfie; there may be, say, a guy sitting on the toilet doing a poo right behind you.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a careful check" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and attention to detail in an examination or review. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "a careful check" is versatile, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversation. Alternatives like "a quick look" or "double-check" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a careful check" functions as a noun phrase, where "careful" modifies the noun "check". It describes a specific type of examination that is thorough and attentive to detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

26%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a careful check" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a thorough and detailed examination. As Ludwig AI points out, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal settings. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and choose alternative phrases like ""a thorough examination"" or ""a detailed inspection"" to prevent overuse, especially in informal communication. The phrase emphasizes accuracy and completeness, making it a valuable tool in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a thorough examination

Emphasizes the completeness and depth of the check.

a detailed inspection

Highlights the level of detail involved in the check.

a meticulous review

Suggests a high degree of precision and attention to detail.

a rigorous assessment

Implies a strict and demanding evaluation.

a close scrutiny

Focuses on the attentiveness and focus of the check.

a watchful observation

Highlights the act of monitoring and observing closely.

a considered evaluation

Suggests a thoughtful and deliberate assessment.

a precise verification

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the check.

a cautious investigation

Implies a careful and prudent inquiry.

a diligent audit

Focuses on the thoroughness and conscientiousness of the check.

FAQs

How can I use "a careful check" in a sentence?

You can use "a careful check" to describe a thorough examination or review. For example, "The accountant performed "a careful check" of the financial records."

What are some alternatives to "a careful check"?

Alternatives include "a thorough examination", "a detailed inspection", or "a meticulous review", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it always necessary to specify that a check is "careful"?

Specifying that a check is "careful" emphasizes the thoroughness and attention to detail involved. It's useful when you want to highlight the importance of accuracy and completeness, but not always necessary. It depends on the context.

What's the difference between "a careful check" and "a double check"?

"A careful check" implies a thorough and detailed examination, while "a double check" suggests a second review, often performed quickly, to ensure accuracy. The former is more comprehensive; the latter is more about verification.