take a sweep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a sweep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining or surveying something thoroughly, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "Before we finalize the report, let's take a sweep through the data to ensure everything is accurate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It would take a sweep — eight victories in a row — for the Golden Gate to retain the trophy, he reasoned.

The New York Times - Sports

The tool also now supports video, so you can take a sweep and turn it into a single large panorama.

TechCrunch

If Alan Horn wants to make his mark on that studio, he'd be wise to take a sweep around the animation floor and look for the next-big-thing right under his own nose.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Joyce sat at one of the desks in Mission Control on a recent afternoon taking a sweep through hockey Internet sites, blogs and message boards, hoping to find a topic that might stir conversation among Devils fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Those who take a grand sweep of history are backing China's yuan as a big reserve currency of the future.

The Economist

As the reigning 200 m champion at both the World Youth and World Junior championships, Bolt hoped to take a clean sweep of the world 200 m championships in the Senior World Championships in Paris.

Wikipedia

For the clinicians recruiting children to the Bristol study centre, clinicians are additionally trained in how to take a 'single sweep' dual bacterial-viral TARGET specific throat swab.

BMC Health Services Research

In case of a swept source, we may have to take a non-linear sweep into account.

Biomedical Optics Express

If I lived here I'd have to take a wide violent sweep with my arm and knock everything off in order to breathe.

The New York Times

As for our certainties, it would fetch a dry yawn then take a minute to sweep them under the rug: certainties time-honored as meaningless as dust under the rug.

The New York Times - Arts

What you should do, he says, is take a deep breath, sweep aside your unuseful emotions and apply the eminently sensible reasoning of the Roman philosopher Seneca, a great expositor of Stoicism and a firsthand student of the cruel hand of fate.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a sweep", ensure the context is appropriate for a relatively informal examination or review. It's often suitable for quickly assessing a situation or set of information.

Common error

Avoid using "take a sweep" in highly formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "conduct a review" or "undertake an assessment" to maintain a tone of authority and thoroughness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a sweep" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of examining or reviewing something broadly. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as evidenced by the provided examples, which illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take a sweep" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a broad, relatively quick examination or review. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While it appears across various contexts, it is most commonly found in news and media. Due to its informal tone, it's better suited for casual settings or quick assessments rather than formal or academic writing, where more precise terms are preferable. The phrase has limited occurrences making it a rare expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it a look

This is a more informal and casual way of saying "take a sweep", suggesting a quick and cursory examination.

conduct a search

This alternative suggests a more methodical and organized approach to looking for something, implying a formal search rather than a quick review.

run a check

Implies a verification process, focusing on accuracy or correctness.

perform a scan

This alternative implies a systematic examination, often using technology or a defined process to identify specific elements.

undertake a review

This phrase indicates a formal and structured evaluation of something, typically involving a detailed assessment.

make an inspection

This phrase suggests a careful and critical examination, usually to ensure standards are met or to identify any issues.

take a survey

Focuses on gathering data or opinions from a sample population.

do a reconnaissance

This phrase implies an exploratory survey or examination to gain information, often in a military or strategic context.

make an assessment

Implies a judgment or evaluation of the quality or worth of something.

carry out an investigation

This alternative suggests a systematic inquiry to uncover and examine the facts of an incident or allegation to establish the truth.

FAQs

What does "take a sweep" mean?

The phrase "take a sweep" generally means to examine or review something quickly and broadly. It suggests a comprehensive look without necessarily delving into deep detail.

How can I use "take a sweep" in a sentence?

You can use "take a sweep" when you want to quickly assess a situation or set of information. For instance, "Let's "give it a look" before making a decision."

What are some alternatives to "take a sweep"?

Alternatives include "conduct a search", "perform a scan", or "undertake a review", depending on the level of formality and depth of examination required.

Is "take a sweep" formal or informal?

"Take a sweep" is considered relatively informal. In formal settings, consider using phrases like "conduct an investigation" or "make an assessment".