under close examination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under close examination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is being carefully analyzed or scrutinized. Example: "The results of the experiment were under close examination by the research team to ensure accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

So how will Mr. Moore's movie stand up under close examination?

The New York Times

It's a pretty silly argument that doesn't hold up under close examination.

The Guardian - Business

BUT Japan's slow growth does not look so bad under close examination.

The New York Times

Tax-cut advocates had claimed the Reagan years as proof of their doctrine's correctness; as we have seen, those claims wilt under close examination.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will come under close examination given recent controversies over BBC spending, from the multi-million payoffs given to former executives to the £100m Digital Media Initiative fiasco.

The Guardian

In response to questions he made it clear the events leading up to the collapse of MG Rover would come under close examination: "This will definitely be investigated".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The company's employment practices have come under closer examination.

The New York Times - Tech

It's the kind of pithy phrase that sounds good but doesn't necessarily hold up under closer examination.

The New Yorker

Walter B. Huffman, a former Army judge advocate general, said it was not uncommon in military criminal proceedings to see charges against troops involved in a single episode to fall away under closer examination of evidence, winnowing culpability to just one or two defendants.

The New York Times

The issue of how school officials handle allegations of sexual misconduct by administrators, teachers or other employees has come under closer examination in the last week, after two cases in which Board of Education employees have remained in contact with students despite previous accusations of sexual misconduct.

The New York Times

Yet even the most seemingly obvious divisions between old and new can break down under closer examination.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under close examination" when you want to emphasize that something is being analyzed with great care and attention to detail. It's particularly suitable when discussing evidence, data, or arguments.

Common error

Avoid using "under close examination" when describing a quick or casual look at something. The phrase implies a deep and thorough analysis, so it's inappropriate for situations where only a cursory glance is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under close examination" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that something is being subjected to careful and detailed scrutiny. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under close examination" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that signifies a thorough and detailed analysis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science, where precision and objectivity are valued. While phrases like ""under careful scrutiny"" or ""subject to rigorous analysis"" can serve as alternatives, "under close examination" maintains its unique emphasis on the depth and intensity of the scrutiny. Avoid using it in superficial contexts to preserve its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under careful scrutiny

Emphasizes a cautious and critical inspection.

under thorough investigation

Suggests a more formal and systematic inquiry.

subject to rigorous analysis

Highlights the strictness and precision of the analysis.

closely scrutinized

Uses a verb form to convey the act of close examination.

subject to detailed review

Indicates a comprehensive and methodical assessment.

under intense scrutiny

Highlights the high degree of attentiveness.

subject to critical assessment

Highlights the judgmental and evaluative nature of the review.

under deep inspection

Focuses on the depth and intensity of the inspection.

subject to microscopic analysis

Emphasizes the extremely fine detail of the analysis.

under strict observation

Highlights the rigor and control during the observation process.

FAQs

How can I use "under close examination" in a sentence?

You can use "under close examination" to describe something that is being carefully analyzed or scrutinized, such as "The evidence came "under close examination" during the trial."

What phrases are similar to "under close examination"?

Similar phrases include "under careful scrutiny", "under thorough investigation", or "subject to rigorous analysis". These alternatives also convey the idea of detailed and careful analysis.

Is it better to say "under close examination" or "under closer examination"?

"Under close examination" and "under closer examination" are both correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Under close examination" suggests a general state of being analyzed carefully, while "under closer examination" suggests an increased level of scrutiny compared to a previous state.

What does it mean when something is "under close examination"?

When something is "under close examination", it means that it is being carefully and thoroughly analyzed, often to uncover details, verify facts, or assess its validity or quality.