scan

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "scan" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to look over quickly, or to examine with a device that records data. For example, "I scanned the room for any signs of danger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The doctor sent me for an MRI scan to make sure the vertigo was the extent of my head injuries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I think we lay on the floor and did a 45-minute "body scan" meditation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I had only intended to give it a cursory scan, but three hours later I was still there, unable to consign anything to the bin.

The Guardian

Hodgson will be sweating on the outcome of Sturridge's scan, especially given the England boss is already having to take an inexperienced squad to St Jakob Park.

The Guardian - Sport

They scan their feelings and come up with compassion and respect, a sample of one that allows them to reject the premise of a more general conservative attack on women's rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have to make a scan to see how bad it is but he is out at least for a few weeks.

The Guardian - Sport

Rogers Photo Archive was going to scan and tag the photos in return for the right to sell the originals for a profit when the project was completed.

The Guardian

The only trouble is, scan through the thousands of words that Pietersen has written and tweeted on the subject and he doesn't really say that.

The Guardian - Sport

Unfortunately for Brazil, the scan revealed the injury was worse than Brazil's medical staff had initially feared.

The Guardian - Sport

The US company did actually scan about 90% of the Age negatives and we are also negotiating the return of these scans as part of our settlement with them".

The Guardian

This last time, the mournful trumpet solo feels even more poignant as we scan slowly over the vast oil painting of stricken, grim-faced soldiers, pointing their rifles at an unseen enemy front.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to medical imaging, specify the type of "scan", such as MRI or CT scan, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "scan" when a more precise verb like "examine", "review", or "analyze" would better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "scan" primarily functions as a verb, denoting the act of examining something closely, whether physically or digitally. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable and correct in written English. Ludwig provides ample examples where "scan" is used in diverse contexts, solidifying its role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scan" is a versatile verb widely used across various contexts to denote examination, review, or digitization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed in writing. Its usage spans from casual reading to technical processes, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. The term appears most often in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and scientific articles. To enhance clarity, specify the type of "scan", such as MRI scan or document scan, and consider synonyms like "examine" or "review" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine closely

Focuses on a detailed and thorough investigation.

look over quickly

Emphasizes the speed and superficiality of the examination.

digitize documents

Specifically refers to converting physical documents into digital format.

survey rapidly

Highlights a quick and broad overview of a subject.

review briefly

Suggests a short and concise assessment or summary.

browse through

Implies a casual and unstructured exploration.

peruse carefully

Conveys a deliberate and attentive reading.

check swiftly

Focuses on a fast verification or inspection.

analyze superficially

Underlines a shallow analysis without deep insight.

investigate thoroughly

Highlights a comprehensive and in-depth inquiry.

FAQs

How can I use "scan" in a sentence?

You can use "scan" as a verb meaning to look over quickly, for example: "I "scanned the document" for errors." It can also refer to using a device, such as: "The store clerk "scanned the barcode"."

What are some synonyms for the verb "scan"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "examine", "review", "survey", or "browse" to replace "scan".

Which is correct, "scan the document" or "skim the document"?

"Scan the document" and "skim the document" are both correct but imply slightly different actions. "Scan" suggests a more thorough, though still quick, review, while "skim" implies a very superficial reading.

When is it appropriate to use "scan" in technical writing?

"Scan" is appropriate when describing processes like data scanning, image scanning, or network scanning. Ensure the context clearly indicates the type of "scanning process" being described.