scrutinizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "scrutinizing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the act of closely examining something. For example: "The investigators were scrutinizing the evidence for any clues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Scrutinizing the decisions of our artists has become at best an interesting daily discussion and - at worst - a cruel sport.

The Guardian - Opinion

Agents were scrutinizing the applications to measure how much the groups were involved in politics.

The Guardian

Peter Schweizer – whose book scrutinizing donations to the Clinton Foundation has earned sharp rebukes from Hillary Clinton's campaign and liberally aligned groups – confirmed on Thursday plans to investigate Bush's past financial dealings.

The Guardian

America's economy is a mosaic of puzzles and contradictions that has economists and bloggers scrambling for explanations and scrutinizing the data for quirks and flaws.

The Economist

I'M NOT sure this is the kind of thing that will convince people that the financial sector is providing a valuable public service:An increasing number of hedge funds and brokerages are scrutinizing professional poker to find talent and analytical tools, according to financial recruiters including Options Group, a New York-based executive-search company.

The Economist

China is closely scrutinizing every single move in Taiwan.

The Economist

A team of Googlers would spend day after day staring at computer screens, scrutinizing tiny snippets of street photographs, asking themselves the same question over and over again: "Am I looking at an address or not?' Click.

The Economist

After scrutinizing two lead codices, he found that the material used was consistent with the possibility of it being ancient, and that the construction of the objects appeared not to be recent.

The Economist

Sheldon M. Novick took up a much-examined subject, Henry James, scrutinizing his later work in Henry James: The Mature Master.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It took over from the ecclesiastical courts the narrow jurisdiction left to them, that of scrutinizing instruments purporting to be testaments; but simultaneously its jurisdiction was extended to wills i.e., instruments purporting to dispose of real property.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Descartes proved wrong in his beliefs that all sensory inputs focused on the pineal gland and that the pineal itself was a selective motor organ, suspended in a whirl of "animal spirits," dancing and jigging "like a balloon captive above a fire," yet capable in humans of scrutinizing inputs and producing actions "consistent with wisdom".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scrutinizing" when you want to emphasize a close and critical examination of something, often to identify potential flaws or issues. It's particularly effective in formal or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "scrutinizing" in very casual conversation. Simpler words like "checking" or "looking at" might be more appropriate. "Scrutinizing" has a formal tone that can sound out of place in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

Scrutinizing" functions primarily as a verb, specifically the present participle or gerund form of the verb "scrutinize". It describes the action of examining something closely and critically. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scrutinizing" is a verb form used to describe the act of examining something closely and critically. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and very common, particularly in formal contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and science. When using "scrutinizing", ensure that the level of formality aligns with the context, and consider alternatives like "examining closely" or "inspecting carefully" for less formal situations. Remember that it is more than just observing, it implies an active and critical approach to a detailed examination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examining closely

This alternative maintains a similar level of formality but emphasizes the act of examination.

inspecting carefully

Replaces "scrutinizing" with a more physical sense of examination, focusing on detail.

analyzing in detail

Shifts the focus to a more analytical and interpretative form of examination.

investigating thoroughly

Implies a more formal and systematic inquiry, often associated with uncovering hidden information.

checking meticulously

Highlights the precision and attention to detail in the examination process.

reviewing rigorously

Suggests a formal assessment or evaluation, emphasizing thoroughness and strict standards.

assessing critically

Adds an element of judgment and evaluation, implying a more subjective examination.

exploring deeply

Suggests a more profound and comprehensive examination, often associated with uncovering hidden layers.

probing intently

Implies a focused and purposeful examination, often associated with uncovering sensitive information.

vetting carefully

Focuses on the process of carefully evaluating something for approval or acceptance.

FAQs

How to use "scrutinizing" in a sentence?

You can use "scrutinizing" to describe the act of examining something closely and critically. For example, "The auditor was "scrutinizing" the financial records for any discrepancies."

What can I say instead of "scrutinizing"?

You can use alternatives like "examining closely", "inspecting carefully", or "analyzing in detail" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "scrutinizing"?

Use "scrutinizing" in formal or analytical contexts where you want to emphasize a close and critical examination. It's suitable for describing processes in business, science, or academia.

What is the difference between "scrutinizing" and "observing"?

"Observing" implies simply watching or noticing something, while ""scrutinizing"" suggests a more active and critical examination with a specific purpose in mind. Scrutinizing involves a deeper level of analysis than observing.