checking us out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "checking us out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe when someone is looking at someone or something with intent to assess or observe, typically in a flirtatious or admiring context. For example, "The handsome stranger was checking us out from across the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

He's checking us out".

The New York Times

I knew what they were doing: checking us out, trying to get a read on us.

The New Yorker

Once landed, they rest for a minute, checking us out before they go back to fighting each other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For the people out there who have no interest in checking us out, look at it this way… the blood, sweat and tears of some Irish guys are in your junk mail," he wrote on the band's website.

BBC

"I stopped just as it huddled in the snow, where it stayed for about a minute, checking us out," he told the India Times. .

Huffington Post

However if we catch you being too obvious with staring or checking us out, it's not a pleasant experience, and you're not leaving that great of an impression.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Come check us out!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"They're here to check us out".

The New York Times

Check us out on waterburyvethospital.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

Cornell University

Check us out tomorrow for more free fluff.

The New York Times

"They thought they should check us out for conventions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "checking us out" when you want to convey that someone is observing or assessing a group, often with a hint of interest or evaluation. It is suitable for informal or neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "checking us out" in formal or professional writing where a more precise and professional term like "evaluating" or "assessing" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "checking us out" is a phrasal verb functioning as a verb phrase. It describes an action being performed upon a group, implying observation and sometimes assessment. This aligns with Ludwig's / Ludwig AI examples where the phrase indicates observation by animals, people, or organizations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "checking us out" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb that conveys observation or evaluation, typically in a neutral to informal context. As confirmed by Ludwig / Ludwig AI, it's often used to describe someone looking at a group with interest or assessment in mind. While it appears across various sources, including news and media, its use is less frequent in formal or professional settings. For those contexts, alternatives like "assessing" or "evaluating" are more appropriate. Although it is mostly correct it might be misleading in specific cases. The provided examples offer diverse perspectives for understanding its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sizing us up

Implies an attempt to form an opinion or judgment of someone.

looking us over

A more casual way of saying observing.

observing us

Focuses on the act of watching without necessarily implying judgment.

assessing us

Replaces the phrasal verb with a more formal verb.

examining us

Similar to 'inspecting' but can be less formal.

evaluating us

Suggests a more structured or methodical assessment.

scrutinizing us

Indicates a close and critical examination.

inspecting us

Suggests a detailed examination, often for a specific purpose.

taking stock of us

Suggests a comprehensive evaluation of a situation or people.

giving us the once-over

Suggests a quick, casual look.

FAQs

What does "checking us out" mean?

The phrase "checking us out" means someone is observing or looking at a group of people, often with interest or to form an opinion. It can imply a casual assessment or even a flirtatious glance.

What's a more formal way to say "checking us out"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "assessing us" or "evaluating us". These alternatives convey a more professional and less casual tone.

Is "checking us out" appropriate in business writing?

Generally, no. "Checking us out" is too informal for business writing. Instead, opt for phrases such as "considering us" or "reviewing our proposal" to maintain a professional tone.

How to use "checking us out" in a sentence?

You might say, "The new neighbors were definitely checking us out when we had our barbecue," or "The recruiters are checking us out to see if we're a good fit for the company culture."