closely examine

USAGE SUMMARY

"closely examine" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate a thorough inspection of something, often in order to draw attention to or discover details or facets that wouldn't be noticed otherwise. For example, "We must closely examine this problem if we are to determine its cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

And we believe elderly Americans, and all Americans, should closely examine the proposed health care reforms.

The New York Times

Mr. Lavrov said the Kremlin would closely examine the NATO requests.

The New York Times

McDonald's, which has not, "will closely examine the board's proposal," said Walt Riker, a company spokesman.

The New York Times

The Web site warns that "we closely examine the backgrounds of those individuals nominated for awards".

The New York Times

But commission officials acknowledged that they did not closely examine the Enron filings.

The New York Times

You should also closely examine each of the funds within the target-date fund and understand their investment strategies.

The New York Times

Tyrie's commission on banking standards intends to "closely examine" whether the legislation needs to contain this element.

The Guardian - Money

Dennis Kelly, the zoo director, said he would closely examine the exhibit to make sure an escape never happens again.

The New York Times

He said the authority, a state agency, would more closely examine how it received information from the city.

The New York Times

Teachers need to closely examine their practices, and principals should be actively involved in what happens in each classroom.

The New York Times

Students are urged to exercise critical thinking and gather all information possible and closely examine each alternative toward forming an opinion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "closely examine", ensure that the object of your examination is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Closely examine the data", specify "Closely examine the sales data from Q3".

Common error

While "closely examine" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "scrutinize", "analyze", or "investigate" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "closely examine" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of inspecting something with great attention to detail. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase introduces a detailed analysis or review process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "closely examine" is a commonly used phrase indicating a detailed and thorough inspection. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across various domains, particularly in News & Media and Science. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, signaling the intent to analyze something carefully. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain writing clarity and engagement. As supported by Ludwig, "closely examine" is a reliable phrase for emphasizing the need for a detailed review or analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scrutinize carefully

Emphasizes a more critical and detailed inspection.

analyze thoroughly

Focuses on breaking down something into its components for detailed understanding.

inspect meticulously

Highlights the precision and attention to detail in the examination.

investigate rigorously

Implies a systematic and thorough inquiry, often seeking to uncover facts.

assess in detail

Stresses the comprehensive evaluation aspect of the examination.

review attentively

Suggests a careful and focused reading or viewing.

probe deeply

Indicates an exploration that goes beyond the surface level.

study intensely

Highlights the focused and dedicated nature of the examination.

explore comprehensively

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the investigation.

delve into

Implies a thorough and in-depth exploration of a topic or issue.

FAQs

How can I use "closely examine" in a sentence?

You can use "closely examine" to indicate a careful and detailed inspection. For instance, "The scientists will "closely examine" the samples under a microscope" or "The committee needs to "closely examine" the proposed budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "closely examine"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "scrutinize carefully", "analyze thoroughly", or "inspect meticulously".

Is it better to say "closely examine" or "carefully examine"?

Both "closely examine" and "carefully examine" are valid, but "closely examine" suggests a more detailed and thorough inspection. The choice depends on the level of detail you want to convey. For example, "carefully examine" may be used when a general review is sufficient, while "closely examine" may be used when deeper analysis is needed.

What's the difference between "closely examine" and "closely investigate"?

"Closely examine" suggests a detailed inspection to understand something better, while "closely investigate" implies a systematic inquiry, often to uncover facts or wrongdoing. You "closely examine" data to understand trends, but "closely investigate" a crime to find the culprit.