to check for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to check for something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of looking for or verifying the presence of a specific item or condition. Example: "Before finalizing the report, I need to check for any errors or inconsistencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The report suggests that in some cases, surveillance might be needed after a food gets to the market to check for possible health effects, something not done now.

The New York Times

"So we made the decision to try something we've never done before: activating Safety Check for something other than a natural disaster.

The Guardian - Tech

SourceDNA, which helps app developers improve their code and address security flaws, says it found what Youmi was up to when it was updating its Searchlight product to check for use of private APIs – something that should get developers' apps banned from the App Store.

TechCrunch

– Google, Facebook, Exchange, and LinkedIn at launch, but you can still connect to your Yahoo, Hotmail, etc, but it'll likely have to be setup to check for new messages ever hour or something of the like.

TechCrunch

If we want to check you for something, suspicion of drugs is a way to search you and your home.

Vice

I wasn't supposed to be at work that Sunday, but I stopped by to check on something for Monday's paper.

Vice

When your brother answers the phone, tell him that you need him to go to your closet (or whatever closet you're in) to check on something for you.

WikiHow

4.39pm BST We're checking for something with TMO.

The Guardian - Sport

But the only time our copy of Anthology comes down from the shelf is when I need to check something for a review of one of the Beatles' other sort-of-new records.

The Guardian - Music

Can my friend use my card to check something out for me?

Stanford University

I suggest that the best way to prevent mass shootings in the future is to create a national hotline for dealers to check out buyers, something that is not happening even in areas with waiting periods for firearm purchases.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to check for something" when you want to emphasize the act of verifying the presence or absence of a particular item, condition, or attribute. It's useful in contexts where you are actively looking for something specific.

Common error

Avoid using "to check for something" when the specific item or condition being checked is unclear. Instead, provide more context by specifying what you are checking for, or use a more general phrase like "to investigate" if the purpose is exploratory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to check for something" serves as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, specifically to verify or identify a particular item or condition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to check for something" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the intent to verify the presence or absence of something specific. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Although examples are missing, it is presumed to be applicable across various registers, including neutral and professional contexts. Using the phrase effectively involves ensuring clarity about what exactly is being checked and avoiding vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to verify something

Focuses more directly on confirming the truth or accuracy of something, omitting the exploratory aspect.

to inspect for something

Implies a more thorough and detailed examination, often for specific issues or defects.

to look for something

A more general term that doesn't necessarily imply a formal or systematic process.

to examine something

Suggests a careful and detailed analysis, but doesn't explicitly include the purpose of finding something specific.

to scan for something

Implies a quick and broad search, often using technology or specialized equipment.

to monitor something

Focuses on ongoing observation to detect changes or anomalies.

to screen for something

Suggests a filtering process to identify specific characteristics or issues.

to investigate something

Implies a more in-depth and formal inquiry to uncover facts or details.

to assess something

Focuses on evaluating the nature, quality, or ability of something.

to audit something

Suggests a systematic and independent examination of accounts or records.

FAQs

How can I use "to check for something" in a sentence?

You can use "to check for something" when you need to verify the presence or absence of something specific. For example, "The doctor needs "to check for" any signs of infection".

What are some alternatives to "to check for something"?

Alternatives include "to look for something", "to verify something", or "to inspect something", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "to check for something" and "to look for something"?

"To check for something" often implies a more formal or systematic process, while "to look for something" is more general. Use "to look for something" when the process is less structured.

When is it more appropriate to use "to verify something" instead of "to check for something"?

Use "to verify something" when the goal is to confirm the truth or accuracy of something, rather than simply searching for its presence. For example, "We need "to verify the data" before publishing the report".