check letter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "check letter" is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.
It may be intended to refer to verifying or reviewing a letter, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "Before sending the application, please check the letter for any errors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The mayor also announced a new free mobile app for iPhones, IPads and IPod Touch devices called "ABCEatsNYC," which lets New Yorkers check letter grades from any street corner in the five boroughs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"This time, I've sent every bank stub for the last year, every canceled rent check, letters from my landlord," he said.

The New York Times

Please visit the section on background check letters for more information.

University of Chicago

In each of a number of clues it will be found that the definition and the wordplay (cryptic/subsidiary indications) do not quite match, differing by one (always checked) letter only, though both lead to real words.

The Guardian

Double check the enrollment confirmation letter for your account information and the amount you will pay.

WikiHow

Case in point: "checking letters", as defined above.

The Guardian

I got it - CROSSWORD PUZZLE – from the "checking letters" – that is, what I'd already written in.

The Guardian

...but a very fair and deft cluing of a perennially comic Scottish terrier, the DANDIE DINMONT, and easily confirmed by checking letters.

The Guardian

The term bill of exchange may also be applied more broadly to other instruments of foreign exchange, including cable and mail transfers, traveler's checks, letters of credit, postal money orders, and express orders.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The worst manifestation in my opinion is one where a solution may be fairly guessed at by the use of checking letters, but the way in which a setter has got there remains completely obscure.

The Guardian

Even with the checking letters, D_C_S _T _U_A_E_, and even though I literally had the answer about my person, I left it unfinished, as the photo at the top of the blog shows.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to reviewing a written document, use more specific verbs like "proofread", "review", or "examine" instead of the ambiguous phrase "check letter".

Common error

Relying on "check letter" can be unclear. Instead, clarify your intent with stronger verbs. For instance, "proofread the letter" specifies you're looking for errors, while "review the letter" suggests a broader assessment of content and style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check letter" functions as a verb-noun combination where "check" acts as a verb intending to modify or act upon the noun "letter". However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not correct and lacks clarity in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "check letter" might seem straightforward, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it lacks clarity and is better replaced with more specific and accurate alternatives such as "review the letter", "examine the letter", or "proofread the letter". These options provide a clearer and more professional way to convey the intended meaning in both formal and informal contexts. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid using "check letter" in favor of these grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review the letter

Replaces "check" with "review", providing a more standard and grammatically sound alternative.

verify the letter

Uses "verify" instead of "check", offering a more formal and precise alternative.

examine the letter

Employs "examine" as a substitute for "check", suggesting a closer and more detailed inspection.

inspect the letter

Replaces "check" with "inspect", indicating a careful and methodical examination.

look over the letter

Offers a more casual alternative to "check", implying a quick review.

go over the letter

Similar to "look over", this suggests a review with the intent of making corrections or improvements.

scrutinize the letter

Replaces "check" with "scrutinize", suggesting a very thorough and critical examination.

proofread the letter

Focuses specifically on checking for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

assess the letter

Suggests evaluating the content and quality of the letter.

validate the letter

Implies confirming the accuracy and legitimacy of the letter's contents.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "check letter"?

Instead of "check letter", consider using phrases like "review the letter", "examine the letter", or "proofread the letter" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy.

How can I use "check letter" in a sentence correctly?

While "check letter" isn't standard English, you can rephrase your sentence to use a more appropriate verb. For example, instead of "Please check letter for mistakes", say "Please proofread the letter for mistakes."

What's the difference between "check letter" and "review the letter"?

"Check letter" is vague and not grammatically preferred. "Review the letter" is a clearer and more widely accepted way to express that you should examine the letter's content.

When should I use "check letter" over other alternatives?

It's generally best to avoid "check letter" in formal writing. Opt for alternatives like "examine the letter", "proofread the letter", or "review the letter" depending on the specific context.