checking to see if

USAGE SUMMARY

"checking to see if" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to query if something is true or not. For example: "I'm checking to see if the train has arrived yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Police were checking to see if there was surveillance video of the incident.

Independent

Investigators were also checking to see if any security cameras had captured the attack.

The New York Times - Sports

Solution: Keep checking to see if your airport or airline has expanded or begun PreCheck access.

The New York Times

She threw a sideways glance at her seatmate, checking to see if she was impressed.

The New Yorker

I was just checking to see if the hardware store had any power".

The New Yorker

It was a colleague of Pam's, checking to see if she was all right.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Check to see if you qualify for volume discounts.

Forbes

Check to see if they are rainproof.

Huffington Post

Check to see if they control growth.

BMC Genomics

Check to see if it fits.

WikiHow

Check to see if the person responds.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "checking to see if", ensure the context clearly indicates what you are trying to verify. This phrase is most effective when the intention is to confirm a specific condition or state.

Common error

Avoid using "checking to see if" when a simpler phrase like "seeing if" would suffice. Overusing the longer phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "checking to see if" functions as a connector introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a condition or possibility being investigated. It helps to inquire about a state or situation, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate, such as "checking to see if the hardware store had any power".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "checking to see if" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an inquiry or verification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's beneficial to consider context-appropriate alternatives like "verifying whether" for more formal settings or "seeing if" for brevity. When using the phrase, ensure clarity in stating what you're verifying and avoid redundancy to maintain concise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeing if

This is a shorter, more direct version of the original phrase, omitting "checking to" for brevity.

looking to see if

Adds "looking" before "to see if", emphasizing the visual aspect of the action.

finding out if

Replaces "checking to see" with the more casual "finding out", making the phrase less formal.

verifying whether

Replaces "checking to see" with a more formal synonym "verifying", and "if" with "whether", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

determining whether

Employs "determining" instead of "checking to see", suggesting a more definitive resolution is sought.

confirming whether

Uses "confirming" instead of "checking to see", which emphasizes the need for verification.

ascertaining if

Uses the more formal term "ascertaining" in place of "checking to see", indicating a more thorough investigation.

investigating if

Substitutes "checking to see" with "investigating", implying a more detailed and systematic examination.

examining if

Replaces "checking to see" with "examining", which suggests a careful and detailed inspection.

to verify if

This is more concise and suitable for formal contexts. This alternative is a more direct and concise way to express the same idea, suitable for when space is limited or a more direct tone is desired.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "checking to see if"?

You can use alternatives like "verifying whether", "determining whether", or "finding out if" depending on the context.

How to use "checking to see if" in a sentence?

You can use "checking to see if" to introduce a clause where you are trying to find out a specific piece of information or verify if something is true. For example, "I am checking to see if the store is open."

Which is correct, "checking to see if" or "check to see if"?

"Checking to see if" and "check to see if" can both be correct, depending on the context. "Checking to see if" suggests an ongoing or repeated action, while "check to see if" is an instruction or a one-time action.

Is "checking to see if" formal or informal?

"Checking to see if" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider alternatives like "ascertaining if" or "determining whether".