examine it closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine it closely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to look at something in detail or with careful attention. Example: "Before making a decision, please examine it closely to ensure you understand all aspects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The bacteria that causes greening in Florida, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, has never been successfully grown in a lab, so researchers can't examine it closely enough to learn its vulnerabilities.

The New Yorker

Congress should be sure to examine it closely.

The New York Times

"You might think the photo is glamorous, but if you examine it closely she looks perturbed".

The Guardian

"The Department loan officers who received this spreadsheet each told us they did not examine it closely," the report said.

The Washington Post

On the menu I saw a figure of $55, didn't examine it closely and, until the bill arrived, didn't realize it was per person.

The New York Times - Food

As we walked back into the Kuikuro village, Heckenberger stopped at the edge of the plaza and told me to examine it closely.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Examining it closely, she grows almost misty-eyed.

The New York Times

From another mound, he retrieves a hip socket, examining it closely for evidence of osteoarthritis.

The New York Times

Marin examined it closely and asked me to name the ingredients.

The Guardian - Film

We examined it closely and there was the familiar gram of Miltown.

The New Yorker

I took a small sample of Dockers' sputum and examined it closely.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "examine it closely", ensure the context provides a clear reason for the detailed inspection. For example, "Before signing the contract, examine it closely to understand all the terms."

Common error

While "examine it closely" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "take a look" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine it closely" functions as a directive, urging the recipient to perform a detailed inspection. Ludwig's examples show it used across various contexts, indicating its versatility as an instructive phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "examine it closely" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that instructs someone to look at something in detail. Ludwig highlights its presence in various contexts, mainly in news and media, wikis, and academic publications, thus showing a generally neutral tone. It is suitable for emphasizing thoroughness and caution, though it can be replaced by alternatives like "scrutinize it carefully" for stylistic variation. Be mindful not to overuse it in excessively casual scenarios. The phrase is considered correct and usable according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scrutinize it carefully

Replaces "examine" with "scrutinize" and "closely" with "carefully", emphasizing thoroughness.

inspect it thoroughly

Uses "inspect" instead of "examine" and "thoroughly" instead of "closely", highlighting a comprehensive check.

analyze it in detail

Replaces "examine" with "analyze" and "closely" with "in detail", focusing on a detailed analysis.

investigate it rigorously

Uses "investigate" instead of "examine" and "rigorously" instead of "closely", implying a strict and methodical inquiry.

give it a close look

Rephrases "examine it closely" as "give it a close look", providing a more casual alternative.

study it meticulously

Replaces "examine" with "study" and "closely" with "meticulously", emphasizing careful and detailed study.

check it out carefully

Uses "check it out" instead of "examine it" and "carefully" instead of "closely", creating a more informal tone.

review it meticulously

Replaces "examine" with "review" and "closely" with "meticulously", focusing on a detailed review.

probe it intensely

Uses "probe" instead of "examine" and "intensely" instead of "closely", implying a deep and thorough investigation.

assess it comprehensively

Replaces "examine" with "assess" and "closely" with "comprehensively", highlighting a complete assessment.

FAQs

What does "examine it closely" mean?

The phrase "examine it closely" means to inspect something with great attention to detail, ensuring nothing is missed. It suggests a thorough and careful review.

When should I use "examine it closely" in my writing?

Use "examine it closely" when you want to emphasize the importance of a detailed inspection. It's suitable for formal writing, instructions, or when precision is crucial.

What can I say instead of "examine it closely"?

You can use alternatives like "scrutinize it carefully", "inspect it thoroughly", or "analyze it in detail depending on the context.

Is "examine it closely" formal or informal?

"Examine it closely" is generally considered neutral to formal. For more informal situations, consider using phrases like "give it a close look" or "check it out carefully".