follow a checklist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow a checklist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of adhering to a list of tasks or items to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Example: "Before starting the project, make sure to follow a checklist to ensure all necessary steps are completed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The pilots were trained to follow a checklist that focused on restarting the engines, but nothing in the cockpit told them that the engines were damaged beyond hope, board experts said.

The New York Times

With the BetterBirth Project, we wondered, in particular, what would happen if we hired a cadre of childbirth-improvement workers to visit birth attendants and hospital leaders, show them why and how to follow a checklist of essential practices, understand their difficulties and objections, and help them practice doing things differently.

The New Yorker

Though Kübler-Ross captured the range of emotions that mourners experience, new research suggests that grief and mourning don't follow a checklist; they're complicated and untidy processes, less like a progression of stages and more like an ongoing process — sometimes one that never fully ends.

The New Yorker

I subconsciously follow a checklist.

Science Magazine

NCI now plans to require that its cooperative groups who want to use omics tests follow a checklist similar to that in the IOM report.

Science Magazine

The inspections follow a checklist model of concrete amenities at each facility, without taking into account the voices of detainees, visitors, or outside investigations, Valenzuela added.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The awkward student in the corner who obsessively follows a checklist may make fewer procedural mistakes than his charming friend who lights up the room.

The New York Times - Health

The crucial distinction is not between those we like and those we don't (Solzhenitsyn hardly followed a checklist from the West Village Democrats club) but between acts of imagination and acts of violence.

The New Yorker

Preparations for intubation followed a checklist (Additional file 1).

Critical Care

In order to minimize the themes with QCA we followed a checklist as proposed by Rihoux and Ragin [ 30].

BMC Public Health

Following a checklist, current data for core indicators for CKD care including anemia, calcium, phosphate and PTH metabolism, nutrition, metabolic acidosis, hyperlipidemia, blood pressure, and dialysis options including vascular access, are compared to target values.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, use "follow a checklist" to ensure the reader understands the importance of completing all steps in the specified order.

Common error

Avoid using checklists as a substitute for critical thinking. While helpful, checklists should complement, not replace, professional judgment and experience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow a checklist" functions as a directive, instructing someone to adhere to a pre-defined list of items or actions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "follow a checklist" is a grammatically sound and usable directive that instructs someone to adhere to a predefined list. Ludwig AI confirms its utility in various contexts, particularly News & Media, Science, and Wiki. While the phrase is relatively common, writers should avoid over-reliance on checklists, ensuring they complement critical thinking. Alternatives include "adhere to a checklist" or "use a checklist", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhere to a checklist

Replaces "follow" with "adhere to", emphasizing strict compliance.

use a checklist

Focuses on the act of employing a checklist as a tool.

abide by a checklist

Similar to 'adhere to', but suggests a sense of obligation.

consult a checklist

Highlights the action of referring to a checklist for guidance.

go through a checklist

Emphasizes the process of systematically reviewing a checklist.

work through a checklist

Similar to "go through", but suggests a more active engagement with the checklist items.

apply a checklist

Focuses on the process of putting the checklist into practical action.

tick off items on a checklist

Focuses on the action of marking items as completed.

implement a checklist

Emphasizes the practical application and setup of a checklist system.

observe a checklist

Highlights the act of watching and paying attention to each item on a checklist.

FAQs

How can I use "follow a checklist" in a sentence?

You can use "follow a checklist" to emphasize the importance of adhering to a set of steps or guidelines. For example, "Pilots must "follow a checklist" before takeoff to ensure safety".

What are some alternatives to "follow a checklist"?

Alternatives include "adhere to a checklist", "use a checklist", or "consult a checklist", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "follow a checklist" in professional writing?

It's appropriate when you need to ensure that a process is completed methodically and accurately. Using the phrase reminds the reader that they shouldn't skip any crucial steps.

Is there a difference between "follow a checklist" and "implement a checklist"?

"Follow a checklist" refers to the action of using an existing checklist, while "implement a checklist" refers to creating or putting a new checklist into practice.