physically check

USAGE SUMMARY

"physically check" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the act of examining something manually by hand or with eyesight. For example, "The mechanic physically checked the engine to make sure it was in good working condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Nearly all 400 addresses were mapped online within 24 hours, Mr. Snoad said, while having people physically check locations might well have taken weeks.

The New York Times

Mr. Onishi now leads a 400-person company that sends out teams to physically check and update routes and estimated times.

The New York Times

One of the agency's claims was that screeners failed to open and physically check bags that had been flagged by X-ray machines.

The New York Times

"There are a lot of things that make us almost have to go out and physically check a wire-pair to see if we can offer service," said John H. Atterbury, president for broadband services for SBC Communications Inc., the largest local phone company.

The New York Times

There was, for instance, Paul Buglioli, a union timekeeper responsible for overseeing work hours, who earned $474,947 last year because of this contractual quirk — and despite his testimony to the commission that he didn't "physically check to see that someone who is signed in is actually present on the pier".

The New York Times

They want to have control over their underlings, and they feel a loss of power when they can't actually see them and physically check on them.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She had not been physically checked since being placed in the cell.

The Guardian

The size of a package can determine whether it is physically checked.

The New York Times

"Someone physically checks what sold online and what sold in the store and manually reconciles the two.

The New York Times

We were then called out of the police cell and paraded into a line and told that we would have to be physically checked to ascertain our gender.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We cannot categorically confirm that we physically checked that the engines have been incorporated," Jayne Carpenter, of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "physically check" when you want to emphasize that a manual, hands-on inspection is necessary, especially when automated or remote methods might be insufficient or unavailable.

Common error

Avoid using "physically check" when an automated system provides a more accurate or efficient assessment. If technology suffices, manual checks might be redundant and waste time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physically check" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of manually inspecting or verifying something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "physically check" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express the manual inspection of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, noting that it emphasizes a hands-on approach. While its register is mostly neutral, suitable synonyms might offer a more refined tone in formal contexts. The phrase appears frequently in contexts like News & Media and Science, suggesting its relevance in scenarios where direct verification is crucial. Remember, opting for "physically check" highlights that automated systems might not suffice and direct assessment is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manually inspect

Emphasizes the use of hands for inspection rather than relying on automated systems.

visually examine

Focuses on using eyesight to scrutinize something for verification.

personally verify

Highlights the individual's role in confirming something directly.

directly assess

Implies an unmediated evaluation, done without intermediaries or tools.

conduct a hands-on check

Stresses the practical and active involvement in the checking process.

undertake a physical inspection

A more formal way to express a physical examination.

perform a manual verification

Focuses on the validation aspect done by hand.

give it a once-over

A less formal, quick check.

do a spot check

Implies a random or sample-based verification.

check by hand

Emphasizes the manual aspect of the verification process.

FAQs

How can I use "physically check" in a sentence?

You can use "physically check" to describe a manual inspection, such as, "The inspector had to "physically check" the brakes on the car."

What is an alternative to saying "physically check"?

Alternatives include "manually inspect", "visually examine", or "personally verify" depending on the context.

When is it necessary to "physically check" something?

It is necessary to "physically check" when visual or manual confirmation is needed to ensure accuracy or safety, especially when automated systems might fail.

Is "physically check" formal or informal?

"Physically check" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal synonyms might be preferable in certain professional settings.