scope out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scope out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe examining or surveying something in order to gain information. For example, "I'm going to scope out the competition before submitting my design proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Builders have to scope out new land, go through design and permitting procedures, and then build.

The Economist

Or, rather, scope out nice areas (yep, that's plural) to study.

WikiHow

I generally scope out their car.

The New York Times

Scope out the racks, and remember your real wardrobe needs.

The New York Times - Style

"I'm not out there trying to scope out guys.

The New York Times

"The orphanage of his life compels him to scope out possibilities and escape hatches," he said.

The New Yorker

"I'm trying to scope out seats for when people get off at their stops," he said.

The New York Times

Jorge Posada, a Yankee teammate, marvels at Jeter's ability to scope out potential trouble in nightclubs.

The New York Times - Books

She took a break from fashion week to scope out the surf-themed art.

The New York Times

It will provide more cash to help locals scope out new proposals.

The Economist

I scope out the nearby gates, still no Woz.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scope out" when you want to emphasize a preliminary investigation or assessment, often with the goal of gathering information for a future action. For example, "Let's scope out the venue before the conference to plan our booth setup."

Common error

While "scope out" is widely understood, it can sound too informal or colloquial in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "investigate" or "examine" when writing reports or giving presentations.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "scope out" functions primarily as a verb of investigation or reconnaissance. It implies a preliminary examination to gather information, as evidenced by Ludwig AI's confirmation and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

41%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scope out" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of examining or investigating something, often to gather information before taking action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, suggesting a neutral to informal register. While widely understood, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "investigate" or "examine" in professional or academic settings. Remember to use "scope out" when you want to emphasize a preliminary investigation or assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

check out

A more casual and versatile alternative, often used in informal settings.

investigate

A more formal and thorough examination, often used in official or serious contexts.

examine

A careful and detailed inspection, suitable for both formal and informal situations.

survey

A broad overview or assessment, often used when gathering information about a large area or group.

look over

A quick review or examination, often used to catch errors or get a general idea.

reconnoiter

To make a military observation of a region.

assess

To evaluate or judge the value, quality, or importance of something.

explore

To inquire or discuss a subject or issue in detail

scrutinize

To examine or inspect closely and critically.

case out

Specifically to examine a place or building to plan a crime.

FAQs

How can I use "scope out" in a sentence?

You can use "scope out" to mean to examine or investigate something. For example, "We need to scope out the competition before launching our new product."

What is a synonym for "scope out"?

Alternatives to "scope out" include "check out", "investigate", or "examine", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "scope out" in formal writing?

While "scope out" is widely understood, it is generally more appropriate for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "investigate" or "assess".

What does it mean to "scope out" a location?

To "scope out" a location means to examine it, usually to gather information or assess its suitability for a particular purpose. For example, "The burglars scoped out the bank a week before the robbery."