look in on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look in on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to checking on someone or something, often to see how they are doing or to ensure their well-being. Example: "I decided to look in on my neighbor after hearing about the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Several neighbors look in on her regularly.

The New Yorker

Might I look in on a rehearsal?

The New York Times - Arts

"Let's look in on Tweedledum and Tweedledumber".

The New Yorker

Sambiyo promised to look in on Maisara in the morning.

The New York Times

look in on me when you wake up?

The New York Times - Books

I may have to look in on that forehand.

The New Yorker

The lesson to be learned is actually for others who look in on the death.

The New Yorker

Every other day, right before dinnertime, they'd look in on me, unannounced.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I had a constant look-in on his drafts and was irritatingly free with comments.

The Guardian - Film

This time Robson gets a look-in on a second serve and takes it to deuce.

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile the 20,000 don't get guaranteed hours, let alone a look-in on the performance-related bucks.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look in on", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are checking on someone's well-being or briefly visiting a place. For instance, say "I'll look in on my grandmother" to convey checking on her health, or "I'll look in on the house" to indicate a quick visit to inspect it.

Common error

Be careful not to use "look in on" when a more thorough investigation or examination is needed. Use "investigate" or "examine" instead of "look in on" if your goal is to analyze something in detail, otherwise you can confuse the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "look in on" functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It indicates the act of visiting someone or something briefly, often to check on their well-being or condition. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from checking on neighbors to monitoring processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look in on" is a very common and correct phrasal verb that means to visit someone or something briefly, usually to check on their well-being or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is generally neutral in tone and appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts. Remember to use it when you want to convey a quick check or visit, and not when a more thorough examination is required. Alternative phrases include "check up on" and "visit briefly". As Ludwig examples show, it's a versatile phrase suitable for many everyday situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check up on

Implies a more formal or thorough examination.

visit briefly

Focuses on the act of visiting for a short time.

drop by to see

Suggests an informal and casual visit.

pay a visit to

Emphasizes the act of visiting someone.

make a call on

Formal way to say visit someone for a specific reason.

swing by

An informal way of saying to make a quick visit.

keep tabs on

Suggests monitoring someone's activities or progress.

keep an eye on

Indicates watching over someone or something carefully.

peek in on

Implies a quick and discreet check.

supervise

Implies monitoring the activity performed by someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "look in on" in a sentence?

You can use "look in on" to describe a brief visit or check on someone's well-being. For example, "I need to "look in on" my neighbor to make sure she's okay after the storm."

What are some alternatives to "look in on"?

Alternatives include "check up on", "visit briefly", or "drop by to see", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "look in on" or "check up on"?

"Check up on" is generally more formal than ""look in on"". "Look in on" suggests a quick, casual visit, while "check up on" implies a more thorough check or investigation.

What is the difference between "look in on" and "keep an eye on"?

"Look in on" usually implies a brief visit or check, while "keep an eye on" suggests continuous monitoring or observation over a period.