to scan through something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to scan through something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of quickly looking over or examining something, such as a document or a set of information. Example: "I need to scan through the report before the meeting to ensure I understand the key points."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

When humming along smoothly, it can record up to 200 pages an hour of searchable text, meaning that nobody has to scan through 9,065 pages to find something specific, they can simply search for a name or keyword.

Duke University

With Comet, companies can get freelancers on demand, without having to scan through hundreds of profiles.

TechCrunch

Some clothing may be difficult to scan through.

WikiHow

Other benefits of Grindr-Xtra include the swipe feature to easily scan through profiles.

HuffPost

Firstly, even if we get permission to scan something it can be massively expensive (it might cost as much to scan the thing as just buying).

The Guardian

We used to scan a newspaper for something interesting, now I'm mildly surprised to see something on my Twitter feed that is uninteresting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Begin at the reception counter to scan your "dog tag" which personalizes information as you walk through the museum.

Huffington Post

In a quick moment, a subscriber can scan through the images and if something catches his or her particular interest, the reader can take a closer look at the photo by clicking "View full size". At that point, the absolute beauty of the site pops into one's computer monitor -- the level of detail is so remarkable.

HuffPost

Through its phone app, Walmart offers Savings Catcher for customers to scan their Walmart receipts.

Forbes

Presume not God to scan.

The New York Times - Science

In response to certain variables a doctor inputs, the computer can scan through medical data to return potential diagnoses.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to scan through something" when you want to convey the idea of quickly reviewing a document or set of information to get a general sense of its content.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, overuse of "scan through" can sound informal. In professional or academic writing, consider more precise alternatives like "review", "examine", or "analyze" depending on the level of detail involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to scan through something" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of quickly examining or reviewing something. In the absence of examples, Ludwig AI can only confirm grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to scan through something" is grammatically correct but lacks sufficient examples to fully determine its common usage contexts or frequency. It generally means to quickly look over something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, but more data is needed for a comprehensive analysis. Consider using alternatives like "browse through" or "skim through" depending on the desired nuance. Further research into specific contexts would provide a more detailed understanding of its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to browse through something

Replaces "scan" with "browse", suggesting a more leisurely or casual examination.

to skim through something

Emphasizes speed and superficiality in reviewing the material.

to look over something

A more general term for reviewing something, without necessarily implying speed.

to glance through something

Highlights the brief and cursory nature of the examination.

to leaf through something

Suggests flipping pages quickly to get a general sense of the content.

to flip through something

Similar to "leaf through", implying rapid and unsystematic page turning.

to peruse something

A more formal term for reading or examining something carefully, but can also imply a quick look.

to review something quickly

Adds the element of speed explicitly to the act of reviewing.

to check something rapidly

Focuses on the checking aspect, emphasizing the speed of the process.

to run through something

Implies a quick rehearsal or practice, but can also apply to reviewing information.

FAQs

What does "to scan through something" mean?

The phrase "to scan through something" means to quickly look over something, often to find specific information or to get a general idea of its content. It implies a less detailed examination than a thorough reading.

How can I use "to scan through something" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase "to scan through something" in sentences like, "I need to scan through this report before the meeting" or "He scanned through the newspaper to find the sports scores."

What are some alternatives to "to scan through something"?

Alternatives to "to scan through something" include "to browse through something", "to skim through something", or "to look over something". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "to scan through something" formal or informal?

The phrase "to scan through something" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In highly formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives such as "to examine something" or "to review something".