going for a scan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going for a scan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of attending a medical imaging appointment, such as an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan. Example: "I have an appointment tomorrow morning; I'm going for a scan to check on my health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He's actually going for a scan this afternoon".

Independent

Later today, they are going for a scan, and even though it's his sixth, he feels as if he's having his first child all over again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He's going for a scan on Tuesday just to make sure that there is no tear.

BBC

"Bojan's injury, it is too early to know, he's going for a scan and hopefully it will be good news.

BBC

Coach Geoff Cook told BBC Newcastle: "He's going for a scan and probably won't play in the Twenty20 matches on Friday and Sunday.

BBC

He's going for a scan tomorrow and I'm keeping my fingers crossed but it's looking like a six or seven-week job.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Her doctor suggested she should go for a scan, but Colin had work commitments.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He's got it in ice but he'll probably go for a scan".

Independent

"We went for a scan that day hoping that she wasn't alive," John admits.

Independent

"Five of them played 90 minutes on Tuesday night, Gallas went for a scan this morning.

Independent

A few weeks later women are asked to go for a scan: only one in 100 will still be pregnant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about medical appointments, "going for a scan" is a clear and concise way to indicate that someone is attending a medical imaging procedure. Use this phrase in contexts where the focus is on the act of attending the appointment rather than the results or implications of the scan.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "going for a scan" with phrases that suggest the scan has already happened or is in progress. For example, "having a scan" can imply that the scan is currently being performed or has been completed. To specifically indicate the act of attending the appointment, "going for a scan" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going for a scan" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of attending a medical imaging appointment. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It describes a future action or appointment related to a medical procedure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "going for a scan" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe the act of attending a medical imaging appointment. As Ludwig highlights, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, suitable for general communication. While there are more formal alternatives like "undergoing a scan", "going for a scan" remains a clear and widely understood expression for indicating the act of attending a scan. Writers should be mindful of the context and audience when choosing between "going for a scan" and more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting a scan

This is a more informal and direct way of saying "going for a scan".

going to get scanned

This alternative is similar in meaning but uses the passive voice and highlights the action being performed on the subject.

having a scan done

This alternative emphasizes the completion of the scan, implying that the process is being performed by someone else.

undergoing a scan

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "undergoing", which suggests a medical or procedural context.

attending a scan

This phrase focuses on the act of being present at the location where the scan is performed.

visiting for a scan

This alternative focuses on the action of visiting the medical facility for a scan.

presenting for a scan

The alternative is a bit more formal.

being scanned

This uses a passive voice and focuses on the experience of being scanned.

scheduling a scan

While "scheduling a scan" refers to arrange it, it's related to "going for a scan" because it leads to attending the scan.

preparing for a scan

This focuses on the actions taken before attending the scan, implying readiness for the procedure.

FAQs

What does "going for a scan" mean?

The phrase "going for a scan" means attending a medical imaging appointment, such as an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan, to have diagnostic images taken of your body for medical evaluation.

What can I say instead of "going for a scan"?

You can use alternatives like "undergoing a scan", "getting a scan", or "having a scan done" depending on the context.

Is "going for a scan" formal or informal?

"Going for a scan" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal phrase. More formal alternatives might include "attending a scan" or "undergoing a medical imaging procedure".

When is it appropriate to use "going for a scan" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "going for a scan" in general writing and news reporting where a casual and easily understandable expression is preferred. In technical or medical contexts, it might be better to use a more formal alternative.