scan the text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scan the text" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to quickly read or examine a piece of text for specific information or details. Example: "Before answering the questions, please scan the text for key points that may help you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The members of the team behind the hack, Ocean Huang, Brent Bevolo, Jose Portcarrero and Bret Deasy, initially came up with the idea for a menu-scanning app after first toying with an app that would scan the text in books.

TechCrunch

The app snapped the poster's photo and I watched it quickly scan the text and image.

The New York Times - Tech

You can indeed scan the text of Mr Lilley's speech, and then of Mr Hague's, and find no direct contradiction between their ideas and Thatcherism's ideological inheritance.

The Economist

That it is written in ancient Aramaic is not an insurmountable problem: devotees are instructed to scan the text with a finger in order to absorb the teaching of the book.

The Guardian

Then the company will automatically scan the text for product names and add affiliate links allowing visitors to purchase the item on various e-commerce sites.

TechCrunch

Messenger's new "chat assist" feature for payments uses machine learning to scan the text you and your friends write, looking for indicators that someone should be sent money.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Inside the room a Swiss-designed robot about the size of a sport utility vehicle was rapidly turning the pages of an old book and scanning the text.

The New York Times

[C7.] Library Lets a Robot Do Its Magic At the Stanford library, a Swiss-designed robot about the size of a sport utility vehicle, turns pages of old books and scans the text.

The New York Times

A great director (Peter Brook) has scanned the text with fresh eyes and discovered a new protagonist – not the booming, righteously indignant Titan of old, but an edgy, capricious old man, intensely difficult to live with.

The Guardian

The Kurzweil-National Federation of the Blindigitalr fuses a digital camera with a hand-held organizer to create a gadget that snaps a picture of any printed material, scans the text and then reads it a few seconds later, using a synthesized voice.

The New York Times - Tech

He said that Mr. Berg was not a genuine cabalist because he tells his acolytes that if they don't understand the Zohar -- the central cabalistic text written in Aramaic -- they can absorb its meaning simply by scanning the text with their fingertips.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "scan the text", clarify the purpose: are you looking for specific information, or just getting a general overview?

Common error

Avoid using "scan the text" when a thorough reading is necessary for full comprehension. Scanning is suitable for quick checks, not in-depth analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scan the text" functions primarily as an imperative verb phrase, instructing someone to perform a specific action. Ludwig confirms that it's a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scan the text" is a common and grammatically sound instruction to quickly review written material, as validated by Ludwig. It's particularly useful for identifying specific details or gaining a general overview. While versatile, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and wiki-based content. When a deeper analysis is needed, alternatives like "analyze the text" may be more appropriate. Remember to clarify the purpose of scanning to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scanned the text

Changes the tense to past, indicating a completed action.

scan the document

Specifies a particular type of text carrier.

scan the message

Narrows the scope to a specific message rather than general text.

scan the contents

Refers to reviewing the overall content, potentially including non-textual elements.

analyze the text

Focuses on a more in-depth examination rather than a quick review.

analysed the text

Similar to "analyze", suggesting a detailed, interpretive approach.

read the text

Indicates a more thorough reading, not necessarily quick.

examined the text

Implies a more detailed and careful inspection.

test the text

Implies assessing the quality or validity of the text.

scan the pictures

Shifts the focus to visual elements instead of text.

FAQs

How can I effectively "scan the text"?

To effectively "scan the text", focus on headings, subheadings, and the first sentence of each paragraph. Look for keywords or phrases related to your topic of interest.

What does it mean to "scan the text"?

To "scan the text" means to read it quickly and superficially, typically to identify specific information or get a general sense of the content, not for thorough understanding.

What are some alternatives to "scan the text"?

You can use alternatives like "skim the text", "glance over the text", or "quickly review the text" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to "scan the text"?

It's appropriate to "scan the text" when you need to find specific details quickly, preview a document, or review information you're already familiar with. Avoid using it when you need in-depth understanding.