critically analyze

USAGE SUMMARY

"critically analyze" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to objectively evaluate a certain topic, situation, or idea. For example, you might say, "Please critically analyze the flaws of this policy proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only directors with science backgrounds, he said, could critically analyze their material and challenge, if need be, the pronouncements of other scientists.

The New York Times

"You have to critically analyze what you determine to be a hitters' park," Gerry Hunsicker, general manager of the Astros, said.

The New York Times - Sports

Students could critically analyze the effectiveness of existing campaign slogans (like, "Reduce. Reuse. Recycle". Or, "Once is not enough").

The New York Times

They have very little ability to get past rhetoric and critically analyze what is motivating the writer".

The New York Times

"This is a good way to teach students to work in a team, to be able to express their opinion and critically analyze what other people say," Dr. Kamei said.

The New York Times

"I.A.I.U. was routinely noted to conduct overly legalistic and narrow investigations, frequently failing to collect, integrate and critically analyze the available information with anything approaching reasonable professional judgment," wrote the researchers, who were led by Diane DePanfilis.

The New York Times

"We want them to analyze, and critically analyze, what we've been doing and how we can do it better," said Dr. Uma Nagpal, chief medical officer for the national Department of Health.

The New York Times

"Precisely by inculcating a critical attitude," Searle wrote, "the 'canon' served to demythologize the conventional pieties of the American bourgeoisie and provided the student with a perspective from which to critically analyze American culture and institutions...

The New York Times - Books

"They have very little ability to get past rhetoric and critically analyze what is motivating the writer, and you have to push them past simple binaries".

The New York Times

These activities would help students read critically, analyze thoughtfully and write persuasively, all while learning about historical connections to current events.

The New York Times

But at C.E.U., students learn to read critically, analyze academic texts and engage with their professors, all skills required for postgraduate studies at Western universities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "critically analyze", ensure your analysis is balanced and considers multiple perspectives, not just negative aspects.

Common error

Avoid using "critically analyze" as a synonym for "criticize". Effective critical analysis involves both identifying strengths and weaknesses, not just pointing out flaws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critically analyze" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of evaluating something thoroughly. It implies a detailed and objective assessment, as supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "critically analyze" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to denote a thorough and objective evaluation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific, news-related, and formal business settings. While "critically analyze" is a powerful tool, it's important to avoid overemphasizing criticism and instead provide a balanced assessment that acknowledges both strengths and weaknesses. Alternatives such as "thoroughly examine" or "assess critically" can offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. Remember to use the phrase thoughtfully and responsibly to foster genuine understanding and informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess critically

Swaps "analyze" for "assess", keeping "critically" but providing a slight shift in focus.

thoroughly examine

Changes the emphasis from critique to a comprehensive examination.

analyze with scrutiny

Emphasizes the careful and detailed nature of the analytical process by adding "with scrutiny".

evaluate rigorously

Replaces "analyze" with a stronger synonym, "rigorously", emphasizing the depth of evaluation.

provide a critical evaluation

Nominalizes the phrase, making it more suitable for certain formal contexts.

scrutinize closely

Emphasizes the detailed and careful nature of the analysis.

offer a detailed critique

Highlights the critical aspect while focusing on delivering a structured critique.

carefully dissect

Uses "dissect" to convey a more detailed and methodical approach to analysis.

undertake a critical study

Formalizes the analysis process, suggesting a more structured and academic approach.

investigate thoroughly

Shifts the focus to a comprehensive investigation rather than a specific analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "critically analyze" in a sentence?

You can use "critically analyze" to suggest a thorough examination of a topic. For example, "The students were asked to critically analyze the assigned reading".

What does it mean to "critically analyze" something?

To "critically analyze" something means to examine and evaluate it in a detailed and thoughtful way, considering its strengths and weaknesses, and forming judgments based on evidence.

Which is correct, "critically analyze" or "do a critical analysis of"?

Both "critically analyze" and "do a "critical analysis" of" are correct, but "critically analyze" is more concise. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and sentence structure.

What are some skills needed to "critically analyze" something?

Skills needed to "critically analyze" something include strong reading comprehension, the ability to identify assumptions and biases, and the capacity to synthesize information from various sources.