can you check

USAGE SUMMARY

"can you check" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it in various situations, such as requesting someone to confirm or verify something, asking for help or assistance, or simply asking for permission to do something. Example: "Can you check if the report is ready for submission?" "Sure, I can check it for you. Just give me a few minutes." In this example, the phrase "can you check" is used to request someone to verify the status of the report.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

How can you check?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Can you check the filter?

The New Yorker

Can you check for me?

The New Yorker

Well, can you check please?

The Guardian - Tech

How can you check you're on track?

The Guardian

"Can you check on the baby?" I asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Not only can you check-in to the services mentioned above, Gowalla pulls in all the check-ins from your friends on those services.

TechCrunch

Can you go check?

TechCrunch

Can you fact-check without displaying bias?

The New York Times

You can check with Sean Hannity, you can check with Fox because they covered it very strongly.

The Washington Post

You can check whether you have a winner at nsandi.com.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can you check", be specific about what you want the person to check. For example, "Can you check the spelling in this document?" is more effective than a general request.

Common error

Avoid using "can you check" without specifying what needs to be checked. Vague requests can lead to misunderstandings and wasted time. Always provide context or details about the item or information that requires checking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can you check" functions primarily as an interrogative, used to request someone to perform a verification or examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common way to politely ask for assistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can you check" is a versatile and frequently used interrogative phrase employed to request verification or examination across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, making it suitable for various settings from casual conversations to professional communications. While adaptable, the best practice is to be specific about what needs to be checked to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases like "could you verify" or "can you confirm" may be used for increased formality or to emphasize specific aspects of the request. The phrase sees the most use in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can you double-check

Adds "double-" to "check", emphasizing the need for re-verification.

can you confirm

Replaces "check" with "confirm", focusing on confirming information or a state of affairs.

could you verify

Changes "can" to "could", increasing the level of politeness, and replaces "check" with "verify", suggesting a more formal confirmation.

can you take a look

Substitutes "check" with "take a look", implying a brief inspection or examination.

would you mind checking

Adds "would you mind", making the request more courteous and less direct.

can you review

Replaces "check" with "review", implying a more detailed and critical examination.

can you look into

Replaces "check" with "look into", implying a more in-depth investigation or consideration.

could you please inspect

Changes "can" to "could" and adds "please" for politeness; replaces "check" with "inspect", implying a careful examination.

can you investigate

Replaces "check" with "investigate", suggesting a more thorough examination or inquiry.

can you run this by

This is an idiom that suggests if another person can check the material.

FAQs

How do I use "can you check" in a sentence?

Use "can you check" to politely request someone to verify or examine something. For example, "Can you check if I locked the door?" or "Can you check the report for errors before submission?"

What can I say instead of "can you check"?

You can use alternatives like "could you verify", "can you confirm", or "can you take a look" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "can you check" or "could you check"?

"Could you check" is generally considered more polite and formal than "can you check", but both are grammatically correct. Use "could" when addressing someone in a position of authority or when making a formal request.

What's the difference between "can you check" and "will you check"?

"Can you check" inquires about someone's ability to perform the task, while "will you check" asks about their willingness to do so. "Can you check" focuses on capability, while "will you check" seeks a commitment.