examine for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to the act of inspecting or investigating something to find specific information or evidence. Example: "The technician will examine for any signs of wear and tear on the equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conventional slit-lamp examination was performed on a dilated pupil to examine for PES.

EBioMedicine

But did you see them as archetypes you wanted to examine for particular reasons?

The Guardian - Books

American Eagle Flight 4403 left for Cleveland at 8 28 a.m. carrying 23 passengers, including a man with a bag that inspectors wanted to examine for explosive devices.

The New York Times

They selected the 279 most popular from country, pop, R&B, rap and rock to examine for references to drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

The New York Times - Arts

1 22: It's worth pausing it at 1.22 just to examine for one short moment the disparity in size between the players in this scene.

The Guardian - Film

They couldn't understand, for instance, why he was demanding a hat worn by one of the conspirators, which O'Neill wanted to examine for DNA evidence.

The New Yorker

Members feed the network and in turn share its bounty, which they examine for the purposes of science and national security.

The New York Times

As many as 3,000 Herero skulls were sent to Berlin for German scientists to examine for signs that they were of racially inferior peoples.

The Guardian

The root causes — an impenetrable tangle of derivative securities, heedless lending and binge corporate buyouts — are too vast and uncharted to examine for long.

The New York Times

A weird bump or lesion on your intestines is easier to find and examine, for example.

TechCrunch

The estimates we examine for the sensitivity analysis are the kernel matching estimates3.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "examine for", clearly state what you are looking for to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "Examine for issues", specify "Examine for structural issues".

Common error

Avoid using "examine for" when a simpler term like "check" or "look" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For instance, instead of "Examine for errors", consider "Check for errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a process of careful inspection or investigation to identify the presence or absence of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples across different domains, showing its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "examine for" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of carefully inspecting something to identify specific details or issues. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting and general instructions. While alternatives like "check for" or "look for" may be suitable in more informal settings, "examine for" provides a level of precision that is often necessary in professional and academic discourse. Remember to clearly state the object of examination to ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check for

This alternative is more casual and implies a quick, less thorough inspection.

inspect for

This implies a formal, detailed, and often official examination.

investigate for

This suggests a systematic and thorough inquiry to uncover facts.

screen for

This alternative means to test or check for the presence of something, often in a medical context.

look for

This alternative is the most general, indicating a simple search or attempt to find something.

scan for

This implies a quick, broad search, often using technology.

assess for

This suggests evaluating something to determine its nature or condition.

analyze for

This implies a detailed examination of something to understand its components or properties.

probe for

This indicates a deeper, more invasive inquiry to find something hidden or not easily apparent.

search for

This is a straightforward term for trying to locate something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "examine for" is used to describe the act of inspecting something carefully to discover or identify something. For example: "The doctor will "examine for" any signs of infection."

What can I say instead of "examine for"?

You can use alternatives like "check for", "look for", or "inspect for", depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Which is correct, "examine for" or "examine at"?

"Examine for" is the correct phrase when you are looking for something specific during the examination. "Examine at" is not a standard English construction.

What's the difference between "inspect for" and "examine for"?

"Examine for" implies a general investigation, while "inspect for" suggests a more formal and detailed investigation, often adhering to specific standards or regulations.