reconnoiter

USAGE SUMMARY

'reconnoiter' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to mean to explore or observe a place in order to gather information. For example: The scouts were sent to reconnoiter the area and report back with information.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

They were groupings of bottles, jugs, biscuit tins, that was all, but there was something in the brushstrokes that held a mystery for her, or in the irregular edges of the vases and jars, some reconnoiter inward, human and obscure, away from the very light and color of the paintings.

The New Yorker

An American friend from his prewar Paris days, Robert Wernick, now 94, reminded me in an e-mail of the time during training when my father's commanding officer: ….commanded him to reconnoiter a hill.

The New York Times

Just reconnoiter at Christmas and talk about your future then.

The New York Times

To be certain, he decided to send Stuart to reconnoiter.

The New York Times

According to Huntford, the "first known use of the ski in regular warfare" was on March 6 , 1200 when a Norwegian ruler, Sverre, ordered a patrol of skiers to reconnoiter a rebel army's positions.

The New York Times - Sports

However, as the enemy was outfitted in blue, the men mistook them for Union troops and withheld their fire, deciding instead to make a conspicuous feint to the east to reconnoiter the "just-in" rack at Marshall's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

In one of the IAF's first triumphs, in 1949, he led a sortie that ironically shot down five RAF Spitfires reconnoitering the Egypt-Israel border.

The Economist

Between the landfall of Dirck Hartog in 1616 and the reconnoitering voyages of Abel Janszoon Tasman in 1642 and 1644, the outline of Australia's western coast was filled in, but the region remained a hazard to shipping.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Verrazano reconnoitered the North American coast for France in 1524, and in the next decade Jacques Cartier explored the St .Lawrence River; his plans to establish a colony, however, came to nothing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the start of the war the land and sea forces used the aircraft put at their disposal primarily for reconnaissance, and air fighting began as the exchange of shots from small arms between enemy airmen meeting one another in the course of reconnoitering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, after personally reconnoitering near the southern border of Egypt, Ibn al-Haytham confessed his inability to engineer such a project.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a quick and informal look around, simpler alternatives like "check out" or "scout" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "reconnoiter" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Choose a more common verb like "explore" or "check out" for informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reconnoiter" is as a verb, indicating the action of exploring or surveying, often for military or strategic purposes. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correctly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reconnoiter" functions as a verb that describes the act of exploring or surveying, particularly to gather information. As Ludwig AI explains, its grammatical status is correct. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts, carries a neutral to formal register, and implies a deliberate approach to assessment. While alternatives like "scout out" or "explore" exist, "reconnoiter" provides a specific and somewhat military-sounding nuance. When using "reconnoiter", ensure the context aligns with its formal tone to avoid sounding out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do reconnaissance

A more formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the act of gathering military or strategic information.

scout out

Focuses on preliminary exploration to gather basic information.

survey the area

Implies a more comprehensive and systematic examination of a particular location.

make a survey

Focuses on creating a detailed record or map of an area.

explore

Suggests a broader, less targeted investigation, often driven by curiosity.

investigate

Highlights a detailed inquiry, often with the aim of uncovering specific information.

examine

Implies a careful and methodical inspection.

assess

Focuses on evaluating the characteristics or potential of a place or situation.

check out

Offers a more casual and informal way to describe a quick inspection.

case the joint

Suggests a clandestine observation, often with criminal intent.

FAQs

How to use "reconnoiter" in a sentence?

You can use "reconnoiter" to describe the act of exploring an area to gather information. For example, "The troops were sent to "reconnoiter" the enemy's position".

What can I say instead of "reconnoiter"?

You can use alternatives like "scout out", "survey the area", or "explore" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reconnoiter" or "reconnoitre"?

"Reconnoiter" and "reconnoitre" are both correct; the former is the American spelling, while the latter is the British spelling. Choose the spelling that aligns with your audience.

What's the difference between "reconnoiter" and "investigate"?

"Reconnoiter" typically refers to exploring an area to gain information, often in a military context. "Investigate" is a broader term that means to carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation etc. to establish the truth.