checked him out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "checked him out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to examining or evaluating someone, often in a casual or informal context, such as assessing someone's appearance or character. Example: "I saw him at the party and checked him out, thinking he might be a good match for my friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Style

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"I checked him out," Mr. Icahn says.

The New York Times

And so Ms. Leonhart checked him out, too.

The New York Times - Style

"The vet is here, and he's checked him out," the man said of Oreo.

The New York Times

"But then I checked him out and saw who he was".

The New York Times

So I checked him out with Michael White, and he said thumbs up".

The New York Times - Food

"I obviously did my homework and checked him out before deciding to make the movie.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Check him out @johnlewis.

The Guardian

We're going to check him out".

The New York Times

But check him out in "Fur".

The New Yorker

Check him out and let us know what you think.

The New York Times

You can check him out on Twitter at keyvan9.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose a more formal alternative like "investigated him" or "evaluated him" for professional or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "checked him out" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional terms such as "assessed", "evaluated", or "investigated" to maintain a suitable tone and level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checked him out" functions as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "check" with the particle "out". According to Ludwig AI, it's a common phrase used to describe the act of examining or investigating someone, often in a casual or informal way. It can refer to a visual assessment or a more thorough evaluation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Style

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Music

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "checked him out" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb that generally indicates examining or investigating someone. It's used in a variety of contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig, but it leans toward neutral to informal registers. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, remember that more formal alternatives like "evaluated" or "investigated" might be more appropriate in professional or academic settings. Its primary contexts are news and media, style, and sports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looked him over

Suggests a quick, visual assessment of someone's appearance or condition.

examined him

Implies a careful and detailed inspection, often in a medical context.

gave him the once-over

Informal way of saying someone visually assessed someone.

investigated him

Focuses more on a formal inquiry or background check.

vetted him

Suggests a thorough background check, often before hiring or granting access.

assessed him

Focuses on evaluating someone's qualities, skills, or performance.

evaluated him

Similar to assessed, but can also refer to judging someone's worth or value.

ran a check on him

Emphasizes the process of verifying information about someone.

did a background check on him

Focuses specifically on verifying someone's history and credentials.

scrutinized him

Implies a very careful and critical examination.

FAQs

What does "checked him out" mean?

The phrase "checked him out" means to examine or investigate someone, often casually, either visually or in terms of their background.

When is it appropriate to use "checked him out"?

It is appropriate in informal settings, such as casual conversations or less formal writing, when referring to examining or assessing someone. In professional contexts, alternatives like "assessed him" or "evaluated him" might be more suitable.

What can I say instead of "checked him out"?

You can use alternatives like "looked him over", "investigated him", or "evaluated him" depending on the context.

Is "checked him out" grammatically correct?

Yes, "checked him out" is grammatically correct as a phrasal verb in English. It is commonly used and widely understood.