surveying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "surveying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the activity or process of examining an area of land in order to create maps, measure the boundaries, or to collect data. For example: "The engineer was surveying the area to prepare for the construction of the new building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One pair of these birds made their appearance at the latter end of February, and, after cautiously surveying the place, began to construct a nest with branches which they very dextrously broke from the trees.

The Guardian

As a teenager, I did what all teenagers do and took them for granted, barely glancing at the photos on the walls, surveying the Honours Boards only for funny names, oblivious to the history seeping from the bricks into the very air I breathed – after all, where could I get a pint?

The Guardian - Sport

While we speak, a security firm is surveying the roof at Great Casterton to fit an alarm against lead theft – "we're insured but it doesn't cover the cost".

The Guardian

According to Vogt, Georgetown is the only university so far to have started to address the issue through surveying its subcontractors and those of Qatar Foundation.

The Guardian

The local sheriff's office was out in the field surveying damage and was not immediately available for comment.

The Guardian

Surveying his family's dusty patch of land near Kumasi, in the Ashanti province of Ghana, Modesto glances around nervously.

The Guardian

Surveying the camp from on high, above the hillsides strung with washing lines and studded with groups of potential refugees, Emanuele Billardello, a genial taxi driver born and bred in Lampedusa, says he feels great sadness.

The Guardian

Surveying the never-ending queue from his wheelchair, Elias Nyembe reminisced about the day in 1994 when he cast his vote for the first time and helped elect Nelson Mandela.

The Guardian

"We have been regularly surveying for antimicrobial resistance for many years, and we've been doing that without specific funding other than well-intended industry support done on a goodwill basis in hospitals," Iredell, from the University of Sydney, said.

The Guardian

Involve doctors and referral centres in assessments: A lot of the assessments of community-based treatments involve surveying community health workers or households, such as this one published by Plos.

The Guardian

An often forgotten aspect of The Wire is that it has some absolute laugh-out-loud moments: Bunk throwing up in the bin; McNulty and his partner surveying a murder scene using only the word "fuck".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surveying", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a physical land measurement or a more general assessment of a situation. For the former, precision and detail are key; for the latter, consider the depth and scope of the evaluation.

Common error

Avoid using "surveying" interchangeably with terms like "observing" or "inspecting" without considering the specific nuance. "Surveying" often implies a systematic examination with a goal in mind, which may not be present in simpler observation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "surveying" is that of a gerund or present participle. It acts as a verb form functioning as a noun (gerund) or as part of a continuous verb tense (present participle). Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surveying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, serving as both a gerund and a present participle. As verified by Ludwig AI, it denotes the action of examining or measuring systematically, often with a specific goal in mind. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, "surveying" maintains a neutral to formal register. Ludwig's examples illustrate its diverse application, ranging from physical land measurement to abstract assessments. When writing, remember to distinguish "surveying" from similar terms and choose the word that fits the context best.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

examining

Focuses more on a detailed inspection or investigation.

assessing

Emphasizes evaluation and judgment rather than physical measurement.

inspecting

Highlights a formal or official examination.

evaluating

Implies a more in-depth analysis to determine value or significance.

observing

Stresses the act of watching carefully.

investigating

Suggests a systematic or formal inquiry.

mapping

Specifically refers to creating a visual representation of an area.

assessing the situation

Highlights evaluating a set of circumstances or conditions.

scoping out

Is an informal expression for investigating something.

taking stock of

Implies reviewing and appraising a situation or resources.

FAQs

How is "surveying" used in a sentence?

The word "surveying" can be used to describe the act of measuring and mapping land, as in "The engineers were surveying the site for the new bridge", or to describe a more general assessment, as in "She was surveying the damage after the storm".

What are some alternatives to the word "surveying"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "examining", "assessing", or "inspecting".

What does "surveying" mean in the context of land measurement?

In land measurement, "surveying" refers to the process of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional positions of points and the distances and angles between them. It's used to establish property boundaries, create maps, and plan construction projects.

What is the difference between "surveying" and "surveillance"?

"Surveying" typically involves a systematic measurement or assessment, often for planning or mapping purposes. "Surveillance" /s/surveillance, on the other hand, implies monitoring something or someone, often secretly, to gather information.