to peruse

USAGE SUMMARY

"to peruse" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It typically means to read, examine, or consider something with great care. For example: "I took the time to peruse the job description before applying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And off they went to peruse.

The New York Times

To peruse: Twitter feeds impersonating British royalty.

The New Yorker

Jewish organizations paid researchers to peruse her book for errors.

The New York Times

To peruse: Photographers capture athletes' range of motion in London.

The New Yorker

But there's still plenty to peruse that's free, too.

The New York Times

Alas, they forgot to peruse her back catalogue.

The Economist

To peruse: Twitpics and Instagrams of the London closing ceremony.

The New Yorker

To peruse: A series of civil-rights-era photographs.

The New Yorker

Instead, he brings in books for them to peruse.

The New York Times

To peruse: Some of Rupert Murdoch's most memorable tweets.

The New Yorker

To peruse: A history of abortion rights in America.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "To peruse" is suitable for both casual skimming and more attentive reading, but ensure it aligns with the intended level of scrutiny.

Common error

While "to peruse" is a valid word, avoid using it excessively in very casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "to look at" or "to check" would be more appropriate. This maintains a natural and accessible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to peruse" functions as an infinitive, often used to express the purpose or intention of an action. Ludwig examples show it modifying verbs, indicating the reason behind an action, such as "to peruse the menu" or "to peruse a document".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to peruse" is an infinitive phrase used to describe the act of examining or reading something, ranging from casual browsing to a more thorough review. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. It appears most commonly in News & Media contexts and maintains a neutral to formal tone. When using "to peruse", consider the desired level of formality and choose simpler alternatives like "to look at" or "to check" for very casual settings. Ludwig examples provide a comprehensive view of its usage across different contexts, reinforcing its appropriateness in both general and more specialized writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to examine carefully

Focuses specifically on the thorough examination aspect.

to inspect closely

Focuses on a careful and critical observation.

to read thoroughly

Emphasizes reading completely and attentively.

to review attentively

Emphasizes careful and focused reviewing.

to study in detail

Highlights a more intensive and academic approach.

to scan through

Suggests a quick, less detailed look.

to look over

Implies a brief and general review.

to browse through

Conveys a casual and exploratory reading.

to give a once-over

Suggests a very quick and superficial examination.

to check out

Implies a casual and informal look.

FAQs

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

You can use "to peruse" to describe examining something carefully or casually. For example, "I need "time to peruse" the document before the meeting" or "Feel free "to peruse the menu" at your leisure".

What words can I substitute for "to peruse"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "to peruse" with alternatives like "to examine carefully", "to scan through", or "to look over".

Is it correct to use "to peruse" in formal writing?

Yes, "to peruse" is suitable for formal writing. It adds a touch of sophistication when describing the act of reading or examining something thoroughly. However, ensure that the level of formality matches the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "to peruse" and "to scan"?

"To peruse" implies a more deliberate and possibly leisurely reading or examination, while "to scan" suggests a quick and superficial review. If you're reading for pleasure or detailed understanding, use "to peruse". If you're quickly searching for specific information, use "to scan".