scrutinize him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scrutinize him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is examining or inspecting another person closely and critically. Example: "The detective decided to scrutinize him for any inconsistencies in his story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Sometimes people will scrutinize him more.

The New York Times - Sports

Now they will have the chance to scrutinize him up close.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's not just going after the media, but threatening retribution to people who scrutinize him.

The Guardian - Tech

His aides said that Mr. Gingrich's sudden resurrection meant that the news media would scrutinize him more thoroughly.

The New York Times

Anyway, once this woman had spoken up we all began to scrutinize him and saw what she meant: he was damaged goods.

The New Yorker

Speaking at conference in October about criticism from Trump: "He's not just going after the media, but threatening retribution to people who scrutinize him.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I scrutinized him again, my mind groping for an explanation.

The New York Times

She led him to a cold sitting room and scrutinized him very closely.

The New Yorker

Gerda opened the door and stood on the threshold without moving, scrutinizing him.

The New Yorker

In the days since Martin arrived in New York, all tiers of the Knicks' organization have closely scrutinized him.

The New York Times - Sports

Scrutinizing him from the rear of the courtroom, his mother noticed that he was mumbling to himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scrutinize him" when you want to convey a sense of careful and critical examination, especially in formal or professional contexts. For example: "The manager decided to scrutinize him closely before offering the promotion."

Common error

Avoid using "scrutinize him" in very casual or informal conversations. Alternatives like "check him out" or "look him over" might be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scrutinize him" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes the act of carefully and critically examining someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scrutinize him" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a careful and critical examination of someone. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to formal register. While "scrutinize him" is valid, Ludwig shows that there are alternative phrases such as "examine him closely" or "check him out" that can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. It is generally best to reserve "scrutinize him" for situations where a serious and detailed assessment is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examine him closely

Highlights the act of careful and detailed examination.

investigate him rigorously

Suggests a formal and thorough inquiry.

inspect him thoroughly

Stresses the depth and comprehensiveness of the inspection.

assess him critically

Emphasizes an evaluation with a discerning and judgmental eye.

analyze him in detail

Shifts the focus to a more analytical and in-depth evaluation.

observe him carefully

Focuses on attentive watching and noting details.

keep a close watch on him

Implies continuous monitoring and surveillance.

check him out

Emphasizes a casual observation, slightly less formal than "scrutinize him".

give him a fine-tooth comb

Highlights a detailed and meticulous search for flaws or inconsistencies.

give him the once-over

A more informal expression for a quick but thorough examination.

FAQs

How can I use "scrutinize him" in a sentence?

You can use "scrutinize him" to describe a situation where someone is being closely and critically examined. For example, "The committee will "examine him" closely before making a decision."

What is a more casual way to say "scrutinize him"?

In a more casual context, you could say "check him out" or "look him over" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scrutinise him" also correct?

"Scrutinise him" is a correct alternative, mainly used in British English, whereas "scrutinize him" is more common in American English. They both carry the same meaning of examining someone closely.

What's the difference between "examine him" and "scrutinize him"?

"Examine him" generally means to look at someone carefully, while "scrutinize him" implies a more critical and detailed examination, often looking for flaws or inconsistencies.