to inspect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to inspect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of examining something closely or carefully, often for the purpose of assessing its condition or quality. Example: "The technician was called in to inspect the machinery for any potential issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are going to inspect.

The New York Times

Ofsted to inspect academy chains.

The Guardian

To inspect is to suspect.

The New Yorker

Then they sifted through to inspect it.

The New York Times - Magazine

hackie pulled up to inspect it.

The New Yorker

I brought the cuff closer to inspect.

The New York Times

Specialists are to inspect the paintings.

The New York Times

First ask a priest to inspect it.

The New York Times - Magazine

I went to inspect the cell.

The New Yorker

Weiss wanders over to inspect the contents.

The Guardian

Increased trade means more cargo to inspect.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to inspect", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being examined and why. For example, "The engineer needed "to inspect" the bridge for structural integrity before reopening it to traffic."

Common error

While "to inspect" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in overly casual situations where a simpler verb like "check" or "look at" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "I went "to inspect" the fridge for snacks", say "I checked the fridge for snacks".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to inspect" is as an infinitive verb phrase. It commonly functions as a purpose clause, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As shown by Ludwig, it expresses the aim of examining something closely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to inspect" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive verb phrase that serves to express the intent of careful examination. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, it is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the intended purpose of scrutiny or assessment. Alternatives like "to examine" or "to scrutinize" can be considered based on the level of detail required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to examine

Focuses more generally on looking at something closely, without necessarily implying a formal assessment.

to scrutinize

Implies a very detailed and critical examination, often looking for flaws.

to assess

Suggests evaluating something to determine its value or condition.

to investigate

Indicates a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth.

to check

A less formal way of saying to look over something to ensure it's correct or in good order.

to survey

Suggests a broad and general examination of something.

to audit

Refers specifically to a systematic review or assessment, especially of financial records.

to probe

Implies a thorough investigation, often to uncover hidden information.

to review

Indicates a formal assessment of something, often to provide feedback or make a decision.

to oversee

Suggests supervising and examining something to ensure it's being done correctly.

FAQs

How can I use "to inspect" in a sentence?

Use "to inspect" when you want to convey the act of carefully examining something, often to assess its condition or quality. For instance, "The mechanic needed "to inspect" the car's engine".

What are some alternatives to "to inspect"?

Alternatives to "to inspect" include "to examine", "to scrutinize", or "to assess", depending on the context and the level of detail involved in the examination.

Is it always necessary to use "to inspect", or can I use "inspect" on its own?

The infinitive form "to inspect" is used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "need to inspect", "going to inspect"). The base form "inspect" is used after modal verbs (e.g., "can inspect", "should inspect") or as a verb in the simple present tense (e.g., "I inspect", "they inspect").

What's the difference between "to inspect" and "to investigate"?

"To inspect" generally means to look at something closely, whereas "to investigate" implies a more formal or systematic inquiry to discover and examine the facts.