examine

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "examine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing the act of carefully inspecting something or looking at something closely. For example: The detective examined the crime scene for clues.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other related articles examine the dramatic rise of Ukip and immigration in Iceland.

The Guardian

Another good activity is to examine how news relating to immigration is presented in the media.

The Guardian

That is why we will support targeted, and properly overseen, measures to identify suspected extremists and, if necessary, examine their online activity and communications".

The Guardian - Tech

Festival panels such as How To Live? featuring writers Douglas Coupland, Anne Manne and social researcher Hugh MacKay examine humanity's quest for happiness and its changing relationship to technology and nature.

The Guardian

It added that officials would continue to examine the impact of major political events behind closed doors.

The Guardian - Business

She said: "I think it would be unconscionable to say this is too dark we can't examine it.

The Guardian - Books

Session 5: Dialogue - Monday 12th October We will examine how dialogue works within scenes.

The Guardian

Although, Broad's situation will become a lot clearer over the next few days, when England's medics examine whether he has suffered any adverse reaction, the spinner James Tredwell is confident his captain will get the all-clear.

The Guardian - Sport

But the chief appeal of Kennedy's leadership to his party may be that he does not force it to examine itself too closely.

The Guardian

You get a better understanding of the difference if you look past averages and examine the actual number of shared ownership homes being bought in different income brackets.

The Guardian

"The two accounts are irreconcilable and I have had therefore to examine carefully the evidence of other witnesses.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "examine" when you want to convey a careful and detailed inspection or investigation, often with a specific purpose or outcome in mind. For example, "The doctor will examine you" or "We need to examine the evidence closely."

Common error

While "examine" is a versatile verb, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "check out", "look at", or "go over" in more relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "examine" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being inspected or investigated. For example, "examine the evidence". Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "examine" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the act of carefully inspecting or investigating something. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct, its frequency is very common, and its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, it's important to choose synonyms like "investigate" or "analyze" based on the context, avoiding overuse in informal settings. Remember that "examine" generally maintains a neutral register and is best suited for professional or academic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate

Emphasizes a more formal and thorough inquiry.

inspect

Focuses on a detailed visual assessment.

analyze

Highlights the process of breaking down a subject into its constituent parts for scrutiny.

scrutinize

Implies a critical and careful observation.

study

Suggests a focused and prolonged effort to understand something.

review

Indicates a formal assessment or re-evaluation.

probe

Involves a deep and thorough investigation, often into sensitive matters.

assess

Focuses on evaluating the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.

check

Implies a simple verification or confirmation.

explore

Suggests a broad and open-ended investigation.

FAQs

How can I use "examine" in a sentence?

You can use "examine" to describe a careful inspection or investigation. For example, "The scientist will examine the data" or "The committee will examine the proposal".

What are some synonyms for "examine"?

Alternatives to "examine" include "investigate", "inspect", or "analyze". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "examine" and "investigate"?

"Examine" generally implies a closer, more detailed look, while "investigate" suggests a more formal inquiry, often into something suspicious or problematic.

Is it better to use "examine" or "look at"?

"Examine" is more formal than "look at". Use "examine" in professional or academic settings, and "look at" in more casual situations.