a serious check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious check" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to a significant examination, evaluation, or verification of something. Example: "The project underwent a serious check to ensure all safety protocols were followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But all still leave the judiciary intact as a serious check on the power of the other branches of government.

The Washington Post

"It's a serious check time for our team to see how we respond," said Manning, who was 16 of 34 for 209 yards.

The New York Times - Sports

Even if a cease-fire takes hold, and Hezbollah retains some military ability, a Lebanese public eager for peace may act as a serious check.

The New York Times

Sol Stern, an education researcher at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative research group, said he thought that the deal was a victory for Mr. Bloomberg, and that Mr. Polakow-Suransky's appointment would not be a serious check to Ms. Black's authority.

The New York Times

Williams boasts that any hospital increasing its private practice by more than 5% must now satisfy its own governors that its plans would not "to any significant extent" interfere with NHS services: but convincing its own governors is hardly a serious check.

The Guardian - Opinion

However imperfect, the deal imposed a serious check on the threat to the region of a nuclear-armed Iran.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Attalus won an important victory over the Galatians, newly arrived Celtic tribes from Thrace, who had been, for more than a generation, plundering and exacting tribute throughout most of Asia Minor without any serious check.

Wikipedia

It is not believed, however, that any serious check had occurred, since certainly all the important points had practically been settled before M. Cambon returned to Berlin.

The New York Times

It is fun to dabble with video editing but if you want to get a bit more serious, check out Lightworks, a comprehensive editing suite that is powerful enough to have been used to help produce Hollywood movies such as Mission Impossible and Batman.

BBC

The world media picked it up and without any serious checking, repeated the lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

It had been revealed that Cleveland police had hired Loehmann, the officer who shot Rice, without checking his references or running a serious background check.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious check" to emphasize the importance and thoroughness of an evaluation or control process.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious check" in very casual conversation where a less formal phrase would be more appropriate. The term implies a level of formality and importance that might seem out of place in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious check" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "serious" modifies the noun "check". According to Ludwig, it describes a thorough and significant examination or control mechanism. It is often used to emphasize the importance of accuracy and reliability in various processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious check" is a noun phrase denoting a comprehensive and important examination or control. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys the necessity of thoroughness and accuracy. When considering alternatives, it's important to choose phrases that accurately reflect the level of scrutiny and formality required by the situation, with options like "a rigorous inspection" or "a thorough audit" offering similar but nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rigorous inspection

Emphasizes the thorough and demanding nature of the examination.

a thorough audit

Specifically implies a detailed review, often in a financial or procedural context.

a stringent review

Highlights the strictness and exacting standards of the evaluation.

a critical assessment

Focuses on the evaluative aspect, suggesting a judgment is being made.

a careful evaluation

Stresses the attentiveness and precision involved in the assessment.

a major control

Highlights the controlling aspect of a process, usually in business context.

a substantial barrier

Implies a significant impediment or restraint.

a considerable deterrent

Focuses on preventing undesirable behavior.

a notable curb

Implies a limitation or restraint on something.

a significant constraint

Highlights the restrictive nature of the check.

FAQs

How can "a serious check" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a serious check" to describe a thorough examination or control. For instance, "The government is implementing "a serious check" on the financial activities of large corporations."

What are some alternatives to using "a serious check"?

Alternatives include "a rigorous inspection", "a thorough audit", or "a critical assessment", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "a serious check"?

It's appropriate when referring to a thorough evaluation or control mechanism, especially in contexts where accuracy and reliability are paramount. This includes legal, financial, and safety-related scenarios.

What is the difference between "a serious check" and "a simple check"?

"A serious check" implies a comprehensive and detailed examination, while "a simple check" suggests a quick or basic verification. The former is used when thoroughness is crucial, while the latter is suitable for routine or preliminary assessments.