to scrutinize

USAGE SUMMARY

"to scrutinize" is a correct word to use in written English.
You can use it to describe carefully inspecting or critically analyzing something. For example: The manager asked his team to scrutinize the budget in order to find areas to cut costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Citizens need time to scrutinize the candidates.

The New York Times

He bent forward to scrutinize the monitor.

The New Yorker

"You begin to scrutinize plays at milliseconds.

The New York Times - Sports

Yelp invites visitors to scrutinize reviewers.

The New York Times - Tech

He resents scrutiny but likes to scrutinize.

The New York Times - Magazine

Theoretically that's enough for the F.C.C. to scrutinize Fox.

The New York Times

They thus knew roughly when to scrutinize the Sun.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And lenders began to scrutinize costs more closely.

The New York Times

I leave it to social scientists to scrutinize Murray's data.

The New York Times

Most mergers require lawyers to scrutinize the fine print.

The New York Times

The Atlantic site was too remote, too costly to scrutinize.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to scrutinize" when you want to convey a sense of thoroughness and attention to detail in an examination or analysis. It suggests a more critical and investigative approach than simply "to examine".

Common error

While "to scrutinize" is a valuable term, avoid using it in overly casual conversations or writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to check" or "to look at" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to scrutinize" functions as an infinitive of purpose, often indicating the reason or intent behind an action. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys a sense of careful and critical examination. Many examples show it in contexts where thoroughness is essential, like examining documents or data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to scrutinize" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that means to examine something carefully and critically. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable for various formal contexts like academic, scientific, and news reporting, emphasizing a thorough and detailed analysis. While generally versatile, it should be used cautiously in overly informal situations where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. The phrase commonly appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and scientific publications, solidifying its status as a reliable and effective expression for conveying meticulous examination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to examine closely

Focuses on the act of examining, emphasizing the detail-oriented nature of the action.

to inspect carefully

Highlights the inspection aspect, implying a physical or procedural check with attention to detail.

to analyze thoroughly

Emphasizes the analytical aspect, suggesting a deep dive into understanding the components and relationships.

to investigate meticulously

Conveys a more formal and systematic approach to finding information and verifying details.

to review in detail

Implies a process of going over something again with a focus on capturing all relevant aspects.

to assess critically

Highlights a judgment-oriented perspective, where evaluation and critique are central.

to evaluate rigorously

Stresses the stringent and thorough nature of the evaluation process.

to probe deeply

Indicates an intensive exploration to uncover hidden or less obvious aspects.

to dissect minutely

Suggests breaking something down into smaller parts for a detailed understanding.

to audit comprehensively

Implies a systematic and complete examination, often in a formal or financial context.

FAQs

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

You can use "to scrutinize" to indicate a thorough and critical examination, such as: "The auditor was hired to scrutinize the company's financial records" or "The scientist decided to scrutinize the data more closely".

What are some alternatives to "to scrutinize"?

Alternatives include "to examine closely", "to inspect carefully", or "to analyze thoroughly" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to scrutinize" or "to examine"?

"To scrutinize" implies a more critical and detailed examination than simply "to examine". Use "to scrutinize" when you want to emphasize the thoroughness and carefulness of the examination.

What does it mean to say something is "subject to scrutiny"?

When something is "subject to scrutiny", it means it is being closely and critically examined. For example, "The new policy will be subject to scrutiny by the board of directors".