to look over

USAGE SUMMARY

"to look over" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to examine or review something closely. Example: She asked her friend to look over her resume before submitting it to potential employers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The time interval that we choose to look over is arbitrary.

Plosone

The authors need to look over longer times to assert that the puncta are immobile.

eLife

You tend to look over your positives when jealous.

WikiHow

But that view fails to look over the horizon.

The Guardian

I strain to look over heads at the projected images.

The Guardian - Tech

"You've always got to look over your shoulder in here".

The New York Times - Style

People should not be forced to look over their shoulder".

The Guardian

Be sure to look over the trial results prior to purchasing seed for 2013.

Cornell University

Our ability to look over such a wide range of time scales is unprecedented.

Stanford University

Straightaway you don't feel you have to look over your shoulder.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is already beginning to look over-optimistic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "to look over" something, be clear about what kind of feedback you're seeking (e.g., grammar, clarity, overall impression).

Common error

Don't use "to look over" when you mean to supervise or manage something. "Oversee" implies a position of authority and ongoing responsibility, whereas "to look over" suggests a one-time review.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to look over" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It indicates an action of examining or reviewing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this is a correct and commonly used phrase. Examples found on Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from reviewing documents to inspecting physical items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to look over" is a versatile and frequently used expression meaning to examine or review something. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. While it carries a neutral tone, it's essential not to confuse it with "to oversee", which implies supervision rather than simple review. Common contexts include news, wikis, science, and academia, demonstrating its broad utility. To enhance your writing, remember to be clear about the type of feedback you're seeking when asking someone "to look over" your work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to review

This alternative suggests a more comprehensive assessment, often of written material.

to go through

This alternative suggests a systematic review of something, often in a sequential manner.

to examine

This alternative is more formal and suggests a detailed inspection.

to inspect

This alternative emphasizes a close, critical scrutiny, often for flaws.

to assess

This alternative suggests evaluating something to form an opinion or judgment.

to check

This alternative is more casual and implies a quick verification.

to study

This alternative suggests a careful and thorough examination, often for learning purposes.

to peruse

This alternative is more formal and suggests reading something carefully.

to scan

This alternative implies a quick, superficial examination.

to audit

This alternative implies a systematic and official examination of records or accounts.

FAQs

What does "to look over" mean?

The phrase "to look over" means to examine or review something, typically in a careful and thorough manner. It often implies a task of checking for errors or providing feedback.

What can I say instead of "to look over"?

You can use alternatives like "to examine", "to review", or "to inspect" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

How do I use "to look over" in a sentence?

You can use "to look over" in a sentence like this: "Could you please "to look over" my report and let me know if you find any mistakes?"

What is the difference between "to look over" and "to overlook"?

"To look over" means to examine or review something, while "to overlook" means to fail to notice something or to disregard something intentionally. They have opposite meanings.