double checking

USAGE SUMMARY

"double checking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an action to verify the accuracy of something. For example, "I'm double checking the accuracy of the report before I submit it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It is worth double checking your local though, here.

Independent

There's double checking of amounts and furrowed brows in the kitchen as I assemble the dish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That way they don't have to waste too much time double checking everything you've written.

The Guardian

This year, many will be double checking their passports.

Forbes

Both women are meticulous in their preparations for their jump, checking and double checking their equipment.

BBC

We will be double checking windows and using window guards.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

We'd be parsing matchups and deconstructing the favorites, double-checking the schedule and setting TiVo, then double-checking that.

The New York Times

Double-checking your clubs.

The New York Times

Officials are double-checking their numbers.

The New York Times

But it pays to do a little double-checking.

The New York Times

(Insert your own joke here about double-checking the local public library's operating hours).

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional environments, pairing "double checking" with the specific object (e.g. "double checking the figures") adds clarity and demonstrates diligence.

Common error

Writers often struggle with whether to hyphenate. While "double checking" is common for the action itself, omitting the hyphen when used as a compound modifier (e.g. "a double-checking procedure") can occasionally lead to reading stutters in highly formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double checking" serves as a gerund or a present participle phrase used to describe the action of verifying information for a second time. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. In many sentences, it functions as the object of a preposition (e.g. "by "double checking"") or as part of a continuous verb tense.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Social Media

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "double checking" is a versatile and standard English phrase that effectively conveys the pursuit of accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across a variety of professional and academic domains. While the unhyphenated form is widely accepted for the action itself, writers should remain mindful of the hyphenated version "double-checking" when used as a compound modifier. Overall, the phrase is an excellent choice for any context where emphasizing the removal of errors is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verifying the accuracy

emphasizes the correctness of the information rather than just the act of checking

re-verifying

more concise and technical

cross-referencing

implies comparing the information against a second independent source

validating the results

shifts the tone to a scientific or data-driven context

vetting

often used when screening candidates or critical information for approval

scrutinizing the details

suggests a much more intense and thorough level of inspection

performing a second review

more procedural and formal

auditing the data

suggests a systematic and official verification process

re-evaluating

implies a critical reassessment of previous conclusions

confirming twice

more literal and less idiomatic than the original phrase

FAQs

How to use "double checking" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the act of verification, such as "I am "double checking" the itinerary to ensure no mistakes were made" or "It is worth "verifying the accuracy" of your data before the meeting".

Which is correct, "double checking" or "double-checking"?

Both are correct. However, "double-checking" is often preferred when it functions as an adjective before a noun, whereas "double checking" is standard for the gerund or present participle form.

What is a more professional way to say "double checking"?

In formal contexts, you might prefer "validating the findings", "re-verifying", or "performing a second review".

Is "double checking" acceptable in scientific writing?

Yes, it is frequently used in scientific journals to describe error-prevention methods, though terms like "cross-referencing" or "data validation" may offer more precision.