checked it out

USAGE SUMMARY

"checked it out" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to investigate or examine something. Example: "I heard about a new restaurant in town, so I decided to go and check it out for myself. I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food and friendly atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Modestly engaging if you ever checked it out and ending with its dignity intact.

Huffington Post

I checked it out".

The New York Times - Magazine

I checked it out immediately.

The New York Times

He checked it out on Google Maps.

The New York Times

On a lark, they checked it out….

The New York Times

"We checked it out," Chief Sullivan said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Check it out, check it out.

The New York Times

"Check it out, though.

The New Yorker

Check it out here.

The Economist

Check it out, Jimmy.

The Guardian

Let's check it out.' ".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

"Checked it out" implies a level of scrutiny, so ensure your context aligns with having performed a careful examination.

Common error

While "checked it out" is widely understood, it can sound informal in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "investigated" or "examined" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "checked it out" is a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates the action of examining or investigating something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "checked it out" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to indicate that someone has examined or investigated something. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. While versatile, it's more suited for informal or neutral contexts, with formal settings often benefiting from more precise alternatives. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources. Remember to use it judiciously and consider your audience to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looked into it

Suggests an inquiry or preliminary investigation.

investigated it

Focuses more on a formal or thorough examination.

examined it

Emphasizes a detailed inspection or scrutiny.

reviewed it

Suggests a formal evaluation or critique.

verified it

Highlights the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.

inspected it

Implies a careful and critical observation.

gave it a look

Informal way to say you briefly examined something.

assessed it

Focuses on evaluating or judging the value or quality of something.

gone over it

Implies a careful review or examination, often to find errors or problems.

ran it by

Implies showing or explaining something to someone for their opinion or approval.

FAQs

What does "checked it out" mean?

The phrase "checked it out" means to have examined, investigated, or looked at something.

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

You can use alternatives like "investigated it", "examined it", or "looked into it" depending on the context.

Is "checked it out" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "checked it out" is generally considered informal. Use more formal alternatives in academic or professional contexts.

How to use "checked it out" in a sentence?

You can use "checked it out" in a sentence like, "I heard about the new restaurant and decided to check it out"."