to audit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to audit" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the process of examining financial records or compliance with standards. Example: "The company decided to audit its financial statements for accuracy." Alternative expressions include "to review" and "to assess."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Wheeler wanted to audit the books.

The New Yorker

"Plans to audit tax returns for political retaliation.

The New York Times

Team management has asked WADA to audit those results.

The New York Times - Sports

She is sent north to audit the Loch Ness monster.

The Guardian - Books

So the time to audit the Pentagon is now.

The Guardian - Opinion

And owners must hire accredited verifiers to audit their claims.

The New York Times - Science

"Nobody is saying it's not right to audit," Mason said.

The New York Times - Sports

Is The IRS Coming To Audit You?

Forbes

Nobody wanted to audit the Fed then.

Forbes

Accountability Office to audit the Fed.

Forbes

Accreditation is somewhat similar to audit.

Journal of Cloud Computing: Advances, Systems and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic contexts, use this phrase to describe attending a class for knowledge without receiving official credit or grades.

Common error

Avoid using "to audit" for quick, informal checks. An audit implies a formal, comprehensive and often objective methodology. If you are just glancing at a document for typos, use "to proofread" or "to check" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to audit" functions as an infinitive verb phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig AI, it often serves as the direct object of a verb (e.g., "decided to audit") or as an adverbial of purpose (e.g., "hired to audit"). It indicates an action of examination, typically conducted by an external or objective party.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Social Media

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "to audit" is a robust and essential phrase for describing rigorous examination across multiple fields. Ludwig AI demonstrates its widespread utility, ranging from "to audit the Fed" in political discourse to "to audit surgical units" in medical quality control. The phrase carries a connotation of authority and thoroughness that simpler verbs like "check" lack. Writers should be aware of its secondary academic meaning—attending a class without credit—while primarily utilizing it for formal verification processes. According to the data from Ludwig, it remains a high-frequency tool for professionals demanding transparency and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to scrutinize

Implies a much more intense and critical level of detail than a standard audit

to verify

Focuses on confirming the truth or accuracy of specific facts or data points

to inspect

Often used for physical objects or facilities rather than financial records

to review

A broader and sometimes less formal evaluation of a process or document

to assess

Shifts the focus toward determining the value, quality or importance of something

to vet

Specifically refers to the critical examination of a person or entity for approval

to examine

A neutral term for investigating something in detail

to probe

Suggests a deep or potentially intrusive investigation into hidden information

to appraise

Usually relates to the formal estimation of monetary value

to evaluate

Focuses on judging the performance or outcome based on specific criteria

FAQs

How to use "to audit" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe financial or systematic reviews, such as: "The government hired a firm "to audit" the department's expenditures."

What is the difference between "to audit" and "to review"?

While "to review" is a general term for looking over something, "to audit" specifically implies a formal, independent verification against a set of standards or laws.

Can I use "to audit" for university courses?

Yes, it is correct to say you plan "to audit a course", which means you will attend the lectures without completing assignments or receiving a grade.

What are more formal alternatives to "to audit"?

In highly technical or legal contexts, you might use "to scrutinize", "to verify" or "to examine".