look over

USAGE SUMMARY

"look over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean to review or examine something carefully, e.g. "We need to look over the report before submitting it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Look over fast.

WikiHow

Look over your credit score.

WikiHow

Look over and wave.

The New York Times

But look over there.

The New York Times

I look over my shoulder.

The New Yorker

Look over on that chair".

The New Yorker

"Look over there," he said.

The New Yorker

I look over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Look over your shoulder.

The New York Times

Look over someone's shoulder.

The Guardian - Sport

Hey, look over there!

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering something to someone, saying something like "Look over there!" will attract attention.

Common error

Avoid using "look over" when you mean to "overlook", which means to fail to notice something. "Look over" implies you are actively examining something, while "overlook" implies you missed it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "look over" is a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI shows it's commonly used to indicate a review or examination of something, often in a quick or cursory manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

54%

News & Media

38%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look over" is a versatile phrasal verb widely used to express the act of reviewing or examining something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and prevalent across various contexts, especially in Wiki and News & Media sources. It maintains a neutral register and effectively communicates the intention to inspect or assess, whether quickly or more thoroughly. Be mindful of differentiating it from "overlook" to avoid confusion. The best practices is to use “look over” when a quick, though attentive, check is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

review

This alternative refers to a formal assessment or examination of something.

examine

This suggests a detailed inspection or investigation of something.

inspect

This term implies a careful and critical observation.

scan

This indicates a quick but thorough review.

check

A more general term for verifying or examining something.

go through

Suggests a systematic review or examination.

peruse

Implies reading or examining something carefully, often in a leisurely way.

assess

This term focuses on evaluating the quality or importance of something.

scrutinize

Indicates a very detailed and critical examination.

glance at

A quick and brief look.

FAQs

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

You can use "look over" in sentences like: "Please "look over" this report for any errors" or "Could you "look over" my shoulder and tell me if I'm doing this right?"

What does "look over" mean?

"Look over" can mean to examine or inspect something quickly or casually. It can also mean to supervise or take care of something.

What are some alternatives to "look over"?

Some alternatives to "look over" include "review", "examine", "inspect", or "check" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I'll look over it"?

Yes, "I'll "look over" it" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It means you will examine or review something.