inspect at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inspect at" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not commonly used, and the intended meaning may be unclear without additional context. Example: "We need to inspect at the site to ensure everything is in order."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

This month, a report from the National Immigrant Justice Center and the Detention Watch Network revealed that ICE failed to properly inspect at least five major facilities, gave staff members advance warning of inspections, let the facilities negotiate with inspectors to improve their ratings, and failed to publicly disclose its findings.

Vice

"Let me inspect at his maps".

The New Yorker

The umpires will inspect at 3pm and will make a decision then.

The Guardian - Sport

They were like a library of videotapes, which she could play in her mind and inspect at any time — "videos" of how people behaved in different circumstances.

The New Yorker

The law directed the agency to inspect at least 600 foreign food facilities within a year, then increase that number every year afterward.

The New York Times - Health

Just before noon, when it had stopped raining, the ground staff started peeling back the covers and the umpires are going to inspect at 12.30pm.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Each patient was inspected at a random inspection time.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The DGA is inspected at discrete points, and the inspection instants are equally spaced.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Under EU regulations, passenger cars are generally inspected at 2-year intervals, the first inspection taking place about 4 years after the vehicle's first registration.

European Transport Research Review

In a March inspection, the Hayden Hall cafeteria, one of eight that have been inspected at New York University, scored 31 points.

The New York Times

These are inspected at least once annually, and Dimond was in charge of attending HFEA inspections, either chairing the inspections or providing support.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "inspect at" in formal writing. Choose more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "inspect" followed by the object being inspected, or use a more appropriate preposition like "inspect in" or "inspect on" depending on the context.

Common error

Using "inspect at" often results from confusion with correct prepositional phrases. Remember that "inspect" typically takes a direct object or uses prepositions like "in", "on", or "for" depending on the specific context. For example, "inspect the premises", "inspect for defects", or "inspect in detail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inspect at" functions as a verb phrase where "inspect" is the verb, but it lacks a direct object and uses an atypical preposition. Ludwig AI points out this phrase is not commonly used and may not convey a clear meaning. Therefore it can be classified as grammatically incorrect. The correct use is generally "inspect something" directly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inspect at" is grammatically questionable and not widely accepted in standard English. Ludwig AI marks this construction as not proper English. While it appears in various sources, its usage is inconsistent and often signals less formal or non-native writing. To improve clarity and correctness, consider using more standard phrasing like "inspect [object]" or selecting a more suitable preposition depending on the intended context. Alternatives like "examine", "check", or "investigate" can provide more precise and grammatically sound options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine

A more formal and general term for looking at something closely.

check

A more informal and general term for verifying something.

investigate

Suggests a more in-depth and thorough examination.

scrutinize

Implies a very detailed and critical examination.

assess

Focuses on evaluating the quality or value of something.

evaluate

Similar to assess, but can also involve measuring progress.

look at

A simple and general way to say examine.

go over

Implies reviewing something carefully.

survey

Suggests a broad overview or examination.

scan

To look over quickly.

FAQs

How can I use the word "inspect" correctly in a sentence?

Use "inspect" followed by the object being inspected (e.g., "inspect the equipment"). You can also use prepositions like "in", "on", or "for" depending on the context (e.g., "inspect for damage").

What are some alternatives to "inspect at"?

Instead of "inspect at", consider using alternatives like "examine", "check", or "investigate" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "inspect at" grammatically correct?

No, "inspect at" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use "inspect" with a direct object or a more appropriate preposition.

Which preposition should I use with "inspect"?

The preposition you use with "inspect" depends on the context. Common options include "inspect for" (to check for something), "inspect in" (to inspect something within a place), or "inspect on" (to inspect something on a surface).