a serious examination

USAGE SUMMARY

"a serious examination" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a thorough and thoughtful investigation or evaluation of something. Example: The experts conducted a serious examination of the evidence and concluded that the suspect was innocent.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Salt" is a studio cloak-and-dagger thriller, "Countdown" a serious examination of rogue nukes.

The New York Times

It attempts to be a serious examination of American racial attitudes in Washington during the early months of the war.

The New York Times - Books

The Guardian's editorial on Friday calls for a serious examination and overhaul of Britain's defence – and not before time.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Similarly, the mania over Benghazi should not preclude a serious examination of Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State).

The New Yorker

These and others are large scale structural issues that also would be well worth a serious examination.

Harvard University

It's not quite a pulp thriller, and it's not quite a serious examination of the men and their era.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's also a surprisingly serious examination of the nature of faith.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But one senior official said the "negative blowback" forced a more serious examination.

The New York Times

For all its jokes and games, the album is a profoundly serious examination of life in all its untidiness.

The Guardian - Music

"If a real proposal with credibility and guarantees is submitted to us, we will give it a very serious examination," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor.

The Washington Post

The Israeli director Amos Gitai offered one of his best in the docudrama Rabin, the Last Day, a forensically serious examination of circumstances surrounding the assassination of the Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the intent or scope of an investigative report, "a serious examination" can add weight and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious examination" in casual conversations; it's more appropriate for formal writing and professional settings. Consider using simpler phrases like "looking into" or "checking out" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious examination" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it refers to a thorough investigation or evaluation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious examination" is a noun phrase used to describe a thorough and careful investigation or evaluation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, academic, and literary contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for formal settings where a deep and thoughtful analysis is being conveyed. Alternatives like "a thorough investigation" or "an in-depth analysis" can be used to vary your language while maintaining a similar level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a thorough investigation

Focuses on the completeness and detail of the inquiry.

an in-depth analysis

Highlights the depth and detail of the analytical process.

a rigorous assessment

Emphasizes the strictness and accuracy of the evaluation.

a critical review

Focuses on evaluating strengths and weaknesses.

a detailed study

Highlights the extensiveness of the research.

a careful evaluation

Stresses the attentiveness and precision of the assessment.

a comprehensive survey

Emphasizes the breadth and completeness of the overview.

a forensic analysis

Highlights a meticulous examination, often in legal or scientific contexts.

a probe

Implies an investigative exploration into a matter.

a scrutinization

Stresses close and critical observation.

FAQs

What does "a serious examination" mean?

The phrase "a serious examination" refers to a thorough and thoughtful investigation or evaluation of a topic, issue, or situation. It implies a deep and careful analysis.

How can I use "a serious examination" in a sentence?

You can use "a serious examination" to describe a careful investigation. For example: "The committee conducted "a serious examination" of the financial records".

What are some alternatives to "a serious examination"?

You can use alternatives like "a thorough investigation", "an in-depth analysis", or "a critical review" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a serious examination" instead of /s/a+quick+look?

Use "a serious examination" when the context requires a deep, thorough, and formal analysis. If a less formal or detailed review is sufficient, "a quick look" or "a brief review" might be more suitable.