a direct examination of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a direct examination of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as legal discussions, research papers, or analyses where a thorough investigation or assessment of a subject is being described. Example: "The report provides a direct examination of the factors contributing to climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Functional data analysis also allows for a direct examination of day-of-week effects on ozone formation/destruction rates.

Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment

This allowed a direct examination of the influence of the variation of Y/E in the coatings on the observed nano-fretting wear, with the coating with highest Y/E showing significantly improved resistance to nano-fretting wear.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A specific component of this pathway – i.e., the amygdala – has been shown to be abnormally activated in paradigms where individuals had to specifically attend to the eye-region; however, a direct examination of the effect of manipulating the gaze to the eye-regions on all the components of the subcortical system altogether has never been performed.

Nature

The new is a direct examination of people's DNA, searching for genes whose variation correlates with observable behavioural differences.Twins studies, which seek to control for the effects of upbringing by comparing identical twins (who share all their DNA) with fraternal ones (who share, on average, half), have been going on since the 1950s.

The Economist

In cases where the knee had to be exposed for retrograde nailing, a direct examination of the involved joint was also performed.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

A direct examination of high-pass-filtered envelope reveals that although there are some fluctuations in the envelope amplitude before the mainshock, most of them are not associated with earthquakes because we were unable to identify clear P and S arrivals, and they are not coherent at nearby stations.

Earth, Planets and Space

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

One recent study [59] included 151 patients admitted to an adult emergency department with suspected of bacterial meningitis and a negative direct examination of CSF, to assess the diagnostic value of CRP, PCT, and CSF leucocytes count.

Annals of Intensive Care

One recent study [ 59] included 151 patients admitted to an adult emergency department with suspected of bacterial meningitis and a negative direct examination of CSF, to assess the diagnostic value of CRP, PCT, and CSF leucocytes count.

Annals of Intensive Care

All consecutive patients with suspected VAP and a positive direct examination of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (i.e. intracellular bacteria on direct examination) were included.

Annals of Intensive Care

Instead, buyers would either have to make a more direct examination of the securities before purchasing them or make sure the rater they use is truly up to the task.

Forbes

When the prosecution rested, the defence opened its case with a lengthy direct examination of Eichmann.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a direct examination of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being examined and the method of examination. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a direct examination of" when a simpler term like "analysis", "study", or "investigation" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a direct examination of" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It introduces the object of scrutiny or investigation, often preceding a description of the methodology or findings. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

68%

News & Media

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a direct examination of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a thorough and hands-on approach to investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic content. While its formality lends credibility, writers should remain mindful of potentially simpler, more accessible alternatives to avoid sounding overly verbose. Keep in mind there are other options like "a focused analysis of" or "a thorough scrutiny of" when precision and emphasis on immediacy are key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a firsthand investigation of

Emphasizes personal involvement and immediate observation.

a focused analysis of

Highlights the analytical aspect and narrowed scope.

a thorough scrutiny of

Implies meticulous and critical assessment.

a detailed inspection of

Suggests a careful and comprehensive visual assessment.

a close study of

Indicates academic or scientific approach to investigation.

an in-depth exploration of

Implies a more exploratory and extensive investigation.

a rigorous assessment of

Emphasizes the strict and methodical nature of the evaluation.

an objective evaluation of

Focuses on impartiality and unbiased judgement.

a critical appraisal of

Stresses evaluative judgment, typically of artistic or scholarly work.

a plain investigation of

Highlights the simplicity and straightforward manner of the investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "a direct examination of" in a sentence?

You can use "a direct examination of" to introduce a thorough investigation or assessment, as in, "The study involved "a direct examination of" patient records to determine the efficacy of the treatment."

What are some alternatives to "a direct examination of"?

You can use alternatives like "a thorough analysis of", "an in-depth study of", or "a detailed inspection of" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a direct examination of" over a simpler phrase like "analysis"?

Use "a direct examination of" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and immediacy of the investigation. It suggests a hands-on, detailed approach, which is more emphatic than a general "analysis".

Is "a direct examination of" considered formal language?

Yes, "a direct examination of" is generally considered formal language. In less formal contexts, phrases like "a close look at" or "a thorough review of" might be more appropriate.