close examination

USAGE SUMMARY

"close examination" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an activity involving careful or thorough inspection. For example: "The police carried out a close examination of the crime scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On close examination that's questionable.

The Guardian

But Michael Skakel's case deserves close examination.

Independent

A close examination of Apuleius Metamorphosess.

Columbia University

A close examination of those donations raise various questions.

The Washington Post

The visual grammar of these films bears close examination.

The Guardian

On close examination, residual psychotic content was noted.

The New Yorker

None of them stand up to really close examination.

The New Yorker

Explanations offered for this rarely survive close examination.

The Guardian

Close examination, however, shows that the cuts would be smaller.

The New York Times

Close examination of literary texts in their original languages.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However, upon close examination, neither theory is convincing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "close examination", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being examined and the purpose of the examination. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "close examination" in situations where a simpler term like "look" or "check" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close examination" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the act of carefully and thoroughly inspecting something. Ludwig AI's examples show it used to describe detailed scrutiny of evidence, policies, and texts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close examination" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes a careful and thorough inspection. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly academic, scientific, and news-related writing. While generally formal, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding pretentious in simpler scenarios. Alternatives such as "thorough inspection" or "detailed analysis" can be considered for stylistic variation. Remember to clearly specify the subject and purpose of the "close examination" to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

careful scrutiny

Focuses on a critical and detailed inspection, often implying a more rigorous review.

thorough inspection

Emphasizes the completeness and exhaustiveness of the examination.

detailed analysis

Highlights the breaking down of a subject into its constituent parts for better understanding.

in-depth investigation

Suggests a more formal and structured inquiry, often involving gathering evidence.

minute observation

Stresses the attention to the smallest details.

critical assessment

Implies an evaluation with a focus on identifying strengths and weaknesses.

rigorous evaluation

Emphasizes the strict and methodical nature of the assessment.

meticulous review

Highlights the care and precision involved in the review process.

intense study

Suggests a concentrated and prolonged effort to understand a subject.

probing inquiry

Implies a searching and questioning examination to uncover hidden information.

FAQs

How can I use "close examination" in a sentence?

You can use "close examination" to describe a careful and detailed inspection. For example, "The evidence requires "careful consideration" and "close examination" to determine its validity."

What are some alternatives to "close examination"?

Some alternatives to "close examination" include "thorough inspection", "detailed analysis", and "careful scrutiny". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "close examination" formal or informal?

"Close examination" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Simpler terms might be more appropriate for informal settings.

What's the difference between "close examination" and "careful review"?

While both phrases imply a detailed look, "close examination" often suggests a more investigative approach, while "careful review" focuses on evaluating and assessing something. A "close review" might be part of a "close examination", but the terms aren't always interchangeable.