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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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checking story

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "checking story" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the act of verifying or reviewing a narrative or account, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I spent the afternoon checking story details to ensure accuracy before publication."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Excerpts played in court revealed the "Africa checking story", a plan hatched to say part of the ceremony involved "checking" the girls to make sure they had not been mutilated in Africa.

News & Media

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was the final person to check stories before they went into the newspaper.

News & Media

The New York Times

They checked all local motels, all stores in the area that might have sold the trunk; they sent fingerprints to FBI, and checked stories of suspicious behavior.

News & Media

The New Yorker

An independent press is a cornerstone of democracy, so it is wrong for journalists to allow their sources to copy-check stories.

News & Media

The Guardian

Read more Health Check stories.

News & Media

BBC

Read more Health Check stories here.

News & Media

BBC

Check stories yourself to see if they're age-appropriate before you hand them over.

"So much for checking a story.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Both have now apologised to their readers for not checking the story.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Moving business overseas, pre-existing conditions… @froomkin: @sulliview Pretty good NYT fact-checking story on A20.

News & Media

The New York Times

"This is a kind of 'Honey, inflation ate my rebate check' story," said Jared Bernstein, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using the phrase "checking story". Opt instead for more professional and precise alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "checking story" in situations where a formal or professional tone is required. The phrase lacks precision and can be misinterpreted.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checking story" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, suggesting an action in progress. However, it often implies the act of verifying or examining a narrative. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not considered standard English and lacks clarity. The provided examples also reveal that this phrase is rarely used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "checking story" is an ambiguous and infrequent expression. Ludwig AI considers the phrase non-standard and suggests that you avoid the expression if your intent is to write clearly and correctly. While it loosely translates to verifying or reviewing a narrative, it lacks the precision required for formal writing or professional communication.

Based on the provided examples, "checking story" appears most often in news and media sources, but even there, it's not a dominant expression. For clarity and correctness, consider alternatives like "verifying the account" or "fact-checking the report".

FAQs

What does "checking story" mean?

The phrase "checking story" is vague, but it generally refers to the act of verifying or reviewing a narrative to ensure it's accurate. More precise alternatives include "fact-checking", "verifying the account", or "reviewing the narrative".

Is it grammatically correct to say "checking story"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "checking story" is not considered standard English. It's preferable to use a more complete phrase like "fact-checking the story" or "verifying the details of the story".

What can I say instead of "checking story"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "verifying the account", "reviewing the narrative", or "fact-checking the report".

When is it appropriate to use "checking story"?

Given its ambiguity, it's best to avoid "checking story" in formal writing. In very informal contexts, it might be understood, but more precise language is always recommended.

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Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: