need to examine

USAGE SUMMARY

"need to examine" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to show a requirement or necessity to investigate or look at something closely. Example: Before making a final decision, we need to examine all of the evidence carefully.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We need to examine [such] cases".

The Guardian

"We need to examine this," she said.

The New York Times

We need to examine this carefully.

The Guardian

"We need to examine the mentality of these applicants.

The Guardian

Scientists will need to examine the new iridium anomaly similarly.

The New York Times

We need to examine it first to determine its value".

The Guardian

Another is the need to examine unflinchingly one's own experiences.

The Guardian - Books

Then we need to examine our own responsibility as donors.

The Guardian

We need to examine a lot of assumptions".

The Guardian - Books

And he will need to examine the evidence himself.

The Guardian - Sport

"We need to examine the mentality of these [female] applicants.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "need to examine" when you want to express a clear necessity to investigate or closely inspect something. For impactful writing, follow it up with specific reasons why the examination is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "need to examine" as a vague statement. Always specify what needs to be examined and why it's important. For example, instead of saying "We need to examine the data", specify "We need to examine the sales data to identify declining trends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to examine" functions as a directive, indicating a requirement or necessity for a closer inspection or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from scientific analysis to policy evaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "need to examine" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey the necessity of a detailed investigation or inspection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common phrase across various domains, including news, science, and business. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to use it with a clear purpose, specifying what needs to be examined and why. Alternatives like "must investigate" or "should analyze" can add nuance, but "need to examine" remains a reliable and widely understood choice for expressing the requirement for close scrutiny.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must investigate

Replaces "need to" with "must", strengthening the obligation to investigate.

should analyze

Substitutes "examine" with "analyze", emphasizing a detailed study.

have to scrutinize

Replaces "need to" with "have to" and "examine" with "scrutinize", indicating a more critical and detailed inspection.

it is essential to investigate

Emphasizes the importance of investigation.

requires further investigation

Shifts the focus to the requirement for more investigation.

it is imperative to study

Replaces "need" with "imperative" and "examine" with "study", stressing the urgency and importance of studying something.

demands close inspection

Highlights the necessity for a thorough and careful inspection.

warrants further review

Suggests that a review is justified and necessary.

calls for a detailed analysis

Emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and thorough analysis.

begs the question of investigation

Highlights the necessity of investigation to answer an unspoken question.

FAQs

How can I use "need to examine" in a sentence?

You can use "need to examine" to express the necessity of investigation, like "We need to examine the evidence before making a decision". It's used to show that a closer look or deeper analysis is required.

What are some alternatives to "need to examine"?

Alternatives include "must investigate", "should analyze", or "have to scrutinize", depending on the context and the degree of scrutiny required.

Is "need to examine" formal or informal?

"Need to examine" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider using phrases like "it is essential to investigate" or "requires further investigation".

What's the difference between "need to examine" and "need to investigate"?

While similar, "examine" implies a closer, more detailed look, whereas "need to investigate" suggests a broader inquiry or exploration. Choose "need to examine" when the focus is on thorough analysis, and "need to investigate" when the focus is on uncovering facts or causes.