examine something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of inspecting, analyzing, or studying an object, idea, or situation in detail. Example: "In order to understand the issue better, we need to examine the data collected from the last experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

He leaned over to examine something.

The New York Times

-- the once-over; to examine something; "Sylvester Stallone gave the script the o.o.

The New York Times

The concept is similar, to examine something outside of the normal working scope, but the time-scales and outcomes are different.

The Guardian

Now, Mr. Dreicer is using his skills as an architectural conservator to examine something more intangible but no less damaging: the architecture of segregation.

The New York Times - Arts

From time to time, Mr. Kershaw stooped to examine something, while Owen strained to catch sight of an arrowhead among the stones.

The New Yorker

As for the other, right-hand side of the shape — perhaps another human presence bending forwards to examine something or to read it?

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It's like an elbow nudging you into examining something you don't quite understand, but need to.

The Guardian - Books

The ex-MP – whose fall from power to prison was classic hubris – retaliated by examining something he was NOT told about instead.

The Guardian

And the new season of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast has arrived, in which he re-examines something from the past often "overlooked or misunderstood".

The Guardian

Instead, he would ponder things that fascinated him, Mr. Hancock said, "usually examining something, finding out how it works and how he could improve it".

The New York Times

The center is dedicated to examining something that is bigger than all of us: the growing continuum of mechanically generated images that flow seamlessly between art and life, insinuating themselves into every aspect of contemporary experience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "examine something" when you want to emphasize a careful and detailed inspection or analysis. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "examine something" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "look at something" or "check something" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine something" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It consists of the transitive verb "examine" followed by a direct object, "something". This verb phrase indicates the act of carefully inspecting or analyzing an object, idea, or situation. Examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

12.5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "examine something" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that signifies a careful inspection or analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, from formal academic papers to news articles. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia". While alternatives like "investigate something" or "analyze something" exist, "examine something" remains a reliable choice for expressing the act of close scrutiny.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate something

Focuses more on a formal or systematic inquiry.

analyze something

Implies a more detailed and methodical study.

scrutinize something

Suggests a critical and thorough examination.

inspect something

Emphasizes a careful visual or physical check.

study something

Highlights the act of learning and understanding through examination.

assess something

Focuses on evaluating the value or quality.

explore something

Implies a broader, less structured investigation.

probe something

Suggests a deeper, more intrusive inquiry.

review something

Indicates a formal assessment or survey.

consider something

Suggests a careful thought process and examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "examine something" in a sentence to indicate a detailed inspection or analysis. For example, "The scientist will examine the sample under a microscope" or "We need to examine the proposal carefully before making a decision".

What are some alternatives to "examine something"?

Some alternatives to "examine something" include "investigate something", "analyze something", or "scrutinize something" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "examine something" and "inspect something"?

"Examine something" generally implies a more in-depth analysis, while "inspect something" often refers to a visual or physical check. The choice depends on the level of detail required.

When is it appropriate to use "examine something" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "examine something" in both formal and informal writing when you want to convey a careful and detailed inspection or analysis of a subject or object.