just to check

USAGE SUMMARY

"just to check" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to indicate the speaker's intent to verify that something has been done or is being done. For example: "I'm calling just to check that you received the package."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Just to check".

The New Yorker

"Just to check your gut".

The New York Times

But have a go just to check.

Independent

Just to check on the numbers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Just to check on it," he said.

The New York Times

Just to check out some more Dubai stats.

Independent

A zoom in just to check where we are.

The Guardian - Tech

And he calls me every night, just to check in.

The New York Times - Style

And – just to check – are they definitely not magic?

The Guardian - Opinion

"You should see how many kids they stop around here just to check them".

The New York Times

(I measured them, just to check, with a wooden ruler provided by a passing saleswoman).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing to avoid repetition. While "just to check" is common, consider alternatives like "to verify" or "to confirm" for more formal contexts.

Common error

In highly formal documents or professional reports, overuse of "just to check" can make your writing sound less authoritative. Opt for stronger, more direct phrases like "to verify", "to confirm", or "for validation purposes" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just to check" functions as an introductory phrase indicating the speaker's or writer's intention to verify or confirm something. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it often precedes a question or action aimed at confirming information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just to check" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a verification or confirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it serves as a polite and casual way to verify information, more formal alternatives like "to verify" or "to confirm" may be more appropriate in professional or academic settings. Remember to balance its use with context to maintain the right tone and authority in your writing. Overusing it in formal writing should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to verify

Focuses directly on the act of verifying something, omitting the introductory "just".

to confirm

Similar to "to verify", but emphasizes confirming the truth or correctness of something.

by way of double-checking

Implies a more thorough and careful check than the original phrase.

to make sure

A more casual alternative with a slightly broader meaning.

for the purpose of verifying

A more formal and verbose way of expressing the intent to verify.

simply to be certain

Emphasizes the desire for certainty as the reason for checking.

as a means of confirmation

Highlights the action as a means to achieve confirmation.

for validation purposes

Focuses on the act of validating something rather than a simple check.

in order to ascertain

A formal alternative emphasizing the process of finding something out for certain.

as a precautionary measure

Highlights the preventive nature of the check.

FAQs

How can I use "just to check" in a sentence?

You can use "just to check" to indicate a desire to verify something. For example, "I called "just to check" if you received the email".

What's a more formal alternative to "just to check"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "to verify", "to confirm", or "for validation purposes" instead of "just to check".

Is it appropriate to use "just to check" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "just to check" might sound too informal for academic writing. More suitable alternatives include "to verify" or "in order to ascertain".

How does "just to check" differ from "double-checking"?

"Just to check" is a general phrase for verifying something, while "double-checking" implies a more thorough and careful review. You might say "I'm "just to check" the figures", versus "I'm double-checking the data for errors".