a random checking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a random checking" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would be "a random check." Example: "The auditor conducted a random check of the financial records to ensure compliance."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On arrival at the ward level, a random checking to ensure that food is served at the correct temperature is performed by the nursing staff.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A random check of start-up announcements showed that 24-hour availability seemed a natural fit for many companies.

The New York Times

Customs officers in Mumbai had discovered twenty-one antique objects during a random check of one of his handicrafts shipments.

The New Yorker

I was told this was a "random check" but I was the only passenger to be stopped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead of being let through, he was guided to a room where about thirty people waited, and then told he'd been selected for a random check.

The New Yorker

A random check on Thursday indicated that some documents were, in fact, posted on the site within three minutes of submission.

The New York Times

A random check last week of 15 arriving trains at two stations found 12 of the 15 conductors doing the finger-pointing.

The New York Times

A random check of a list Mr. Kovalenko distributed last week confirmed that many of the expired names were indeed available; those that were not, he said, were most likely snapped up earlier that day.

The New York Times

A12 Explosives on French Airplane French authorities found explosive material during a random check of a jet after it landed in the city of Metz, raising concerns of another terrorist plot.

The New York Times

Miller finished 29th in the first run of the race, but was disqualified before the second after a random check showed the soles of his boots were a bit high.

The New York Times

The man, chosen for a random check, apparently thought his shoes had cleared security and put them on and vanished by the time a screener alerted his supervisor of the positive test, airport officials said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for the grammatically correct phrase "a random check" instead of "a random checking" in formal writing. The former is widely accepted and understood.

Common error

Be mindful of using the correct noun form. While '-ing' forms can function as nouns (gerunds), in this context, "check" is the appropriate noun. Using "checking" turns it into a continuous action rather than a noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a random checking" functions as a noun phrase, intended to describe an act of inspection or verification that occurs without a predictable pattern. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the grammatically correct form is "a random check."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a random checking" is generally considered grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a random check". Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While some instances of "a random checking" may appear in various sources, it's best to use "a random check" or alternatives like "a spot check" for clarity and adherence to standard English. The phrase typically indicates an inspection performed without a predetermined pattern, often for quality control or security purposes. Its usage spans from neutral news contexts to more formal professional settings, though in the latter, more precise terminology may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a spot check

Replaces "random" with "spot", implying an immediate and unscheduled inspection.

a surprise inspection

Substitutes "random" with "surprise", highlighting the unexpected nature of the check.

an unscheduled audit

Uses "unscheduled audit" instead of "random checking", focusing on the auditing aspect.

a haphazard review

Replaces "random" with "haphazard", suggesting a lack of planning in the review process.

an unannounced verification

Uses "unannounced verification", stressing the element of not giving prior notice.

a selective examination

Replaces "random" with "selective", implying that the check is focused on specific items.

an arbitrary inspection

Substitutes "random" with "arbitrary", suggesting that the selection is based on no specific reason.

a chance audit

Replaces "random" with "chance", implying the check occurred by happenstance.

a sample inspection

Uses "sample inspection", which is more specific, implying that the check is performed only on a subset.

a periodic review

Replaces "random" with "periodic", suggesting the check occurs at irregular intervals.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say it, "a random check" or "a random checking"?

The correct phrase is "a random check". "A random checking" is not considered standard English.

Can I use "a random checking" in my writing?

It's best to avoid "a random checking" in formal writing. Instead, use "a random check" or other alternatives for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

What does "a random check" mean?

"A random check" means an inspection or audit that is performed without a specific pattern or schedule. It's done to ensure compliance or identify issues unexpectedly.

Are there other phrases similar to "a random check"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a spot check", "a surprise inspection", or "an unscheduled audit" as alternatives.