inspection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inspection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining something closely, often for quality or compliance purposes. Example: "The inspection of the facility revealed several safety violations that needed to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The inspection looked at the accident and emergency department and the emergency assessment unit (EAU).

The Guardian

However, she adds that Ofsted now needs to clarify what it does expect schools to do to meet its inspection criteria.

The Guardian

They said there were neither enough government inspectors nor industry-appointed inspection assistants to check the body, offals and cavities of the birds.

The Guardian

In a federal inspection of the TSA, agents were able to slip five out of seven fake bombs in luggage past security.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new installation did not pass inspection, he said, but there had been no reports of a gas leak at the site.

The Guardian

I think of myself as a discriminating consumer of technology, but inspection of my iPhone tells a different story.

The Guardian - Tech

Recommendations included a mandatory induction for new employees, a worker welfare officer on every site, better monitoring and inspection, and better complaints procedures.

The Guardian

Ian Harris was surprised when his 15-year-old daughter told him that her year group had been taken out of class at Ormiston Victory Academy to be told there would be an Ofsted inspection the following week and that they should behave.

The Guardian

The union is worried about the spread of industry-appointed poultry inspection assistants (PIAs) working alongside official staff of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) whose vets and inspectors are responsible for policing the abattoirs.

The Guardian

But the rules still demand bird-by-bird inspection "on the line" with inspectors or assistants checking the body, offals and cavities.

The Guardian

They can carry out an inspection and can take enforcement action if the property is poorly managed or poses a risk to your health and safety.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inspection" when referring to a formal or official examination, particularly one conducted to ensure compliance with standards or regulations.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing the action of "inspection". Instead of saying "The building was under inspection", opt for "Inspectors examined the building" to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inspection" is as a noun, referring to the act of examining something or the organization that performs this act. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "inspection" is a very common noun that refers to the act of examining something closely, often to ensure it meets certain standards or regulations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news media, business, and science. Related terms include "examination", "review", and "audit", each with slightly different nuances. When using "inspection", it's best to be specific about its purpose and scope, and to use active voice to make your writing clearer. While the term is generally neutral, it leans towards professional, reflecting its frequent use in formal and official settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examination

Focuses on a detailed investigation or study.

review

Implies a formal assessment or evaluation.

assessment

Stresses the process of evaluating or judging something.

audit

Specifically refers to a systematic check, often financial.

scrutiny

Suggests a critical and thorough examination.

evaluation

Focuses on determining the value or quality of something.

investigation

Implies a formal or systematic inquiry.

quality control

Emphasis on the process of ensuring products or services meet specific standards.

survey

Involves gathering data through a questionnaire or observation.

check-up

Typically refers to a routine medical or mechanical examination.

FAQs

How is "inspection" used in a sentence?

In a sentence, "inspection" can refer to the act of examining something closely, such as "The building "inspection" revealed structural flaws" or an organization that checks compliance, as in "The health "inspection" fined the restaurant for hygiene violations".

What are some synonyms for "inspection"?

Alternatives to "inspection" include "examination", "review", and "scrutiny". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between an "inspection" and an "audit"?

While both involve examination, an "inspection" typically focuses on physical attributes or compliance, whereas an "audit" generally refers to a systematic review of financial records or operational processes.

When is it appropriate to use the term "inspection" over "assessment"?

"Inspection" is more suitable when referring to a detailed examination to verify compliance or identify issues. "Assessment" is better when the goal is to evaluate or judge the overall quality or value; it's less about pinpointing flaws and more about "overall evaluation".